Chemical composition of PM at a rural site in the western Mediterranean and its relationship with the oxidative potential.

A comprehensive chemical characterization (water-soluble ions, organic and elemental carbon, water- and methanol-soluble organic carbon, levoglucosan, and major and trace metals) of PM samples collected in a rural area located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula was performed. Additionally, the oxidative potential of the samples, used as an indicator of aerosol toxicity, was determined by the ascorbic acid (OP) and dithiothreitol (OP) assays. The average concentration of PM during the study period, spanning from late winter to early spring, was 20.

Organic tracers in fine and coarse aerosols at an urban Mediterranean site: contribution of biomass burning and biogenic emissions.

The concentrations of anhydrosugars (levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan), polyols (inositol, xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol), and glucose were measured in PM and PM samples collected during 1 year at a traffic site in the city of Elche (southeastern Spain). Levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan were mainly found in the PM fraction since they are mainly emitted from biomass burning (BB). Likewise, inositol, xylitol, and sorbitol were primarily distributed in the fine mode, suggesting a non-negligible contribution from anthropogenic sources (specifically BB) to the levels of these compounds.

Changes in the concentration and composition of urban aerosols during the COVID-19 lockdown.

This work investigates the impact of COVID-19 restrictive measures on the mass concentrations of PM and PM, and their chemical components (water-soluble ions, organic and elemental carbon, and major and trace metals) at an urban site in the western Mediterranean. The evolution of gaseous pollutants (NO, O and some volatile organic compounds) was also analyzed. The concentrations measured during the lockdown in 2020 were compared to those obtained during the same period over the preceding five years.

PM chemical composition at a residential site in the western mediterranean: Estimation of the contribution of biomass burning from levoglucosan and its isomers.

The composition of PM, including molecular markers of biomass burning (levoglucosan, mannosan and galactosan), was determined at a residential site in southeastern Spain during winter and early spring. The average PM concentration was 25.0 μg m, being organic carbon (OC, 6.

PM events and changes in the chemical composition of urban aerosols: A case study in the western Mediterranean.

More than 400 PM and 400 PM daily samples were collected in the urban center of Elche (close to the Spanish Mediterranean coast) from February 2015 to February 2018. Samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of major and trace components with the aim of evaluating the influence of specific pollution events on the chemical composition of both PM fractions. The concentrations of crustal elements in PM significantly increased during Saharan dust outbreaks, particularly titanium, which has been identified as a good tracer of these events in the study area.

Regional and long-range transport of aerosols at Mt. Aitana, Southeastern Spain.

More than 150 particulate matter (PM) samples with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 1 and 10μm (PM and PM, respectively) were collected during an 18-month sampling campaign at Mt. Aitana (1558m a.s.

High-time resolution and size-segregated elemental composition in high-intensity pyrotechnic exposures.

Typical of festivals in Eastern Spain, mascletàs are high-intensity pyrotechnic events where thousands of firecrackers are burnt in an intense, rapid episode that generates short-lived heavy aerosol clouds. High temporal resolution and size distribution characterisation of aerosol components were performed to evaluate the effects of the brief (<30 min) and acute exposure on the spectators present. Very high concentrations of firework specific elements, especially in the fine fraction, were reached during mascletàs, with values of about 500 μg/m(3) for K and 300 μg/m(3) for Cl.