Key factors for abating particulate matter in a highly industrialized area in N Spain: Fugitive emissions and secondary aerosol precursors.

In highly industrialized areas, abating particulate matter (PM) is complex owing to the variety of emission sources with different chemical profiles that may mix in the atmosphere. Gijón-an industrial city in northern Spain-was selected as a case study to better understand the key emission sources and improve air quality in highly industrialized areas. Accordingly, the trends of various air quality indicators (PM10, PM2.

Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on hourly levels of PM10, PM2.5 and black carbon at an industrial suburban site in northern Spain.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown restrictions were established around the world. Many studies have assessed whether these restrictions affected atmospheric pollution. Comparison between them is difficult as the periods of time considered are generally not the same and thus, different conclusions may be reached.

Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the dry deposition fraction of settleable particulate matter at three industrial urban/suburban locations in northern Spain.

Ninety 24-h samples of the dry deposition fraction of settleable particulate matter (DSPM) were collected at one suburban industrial site ('EMA') and two urban industrial sites ('Lauredal' and 'Laboratory') in the western area of Gijón (North of Spain) from December 2019 to June 2020. The levels registered point to an environmental issue that should receive close attention from environmental authorities. Before lockdown restrictions due to COVID-19 were established, all samples collected at the EMA site exceeded 300 mg·m·d (the Spanish limit value until 2002).

Relationship Between Exposure to Sulphur Dioxide Air Pollution, White Cell Inflammatory Biomarkers and Enzymatic Infarct Size in Patients With ST-segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes.

To analyse the relationship among air pollutants, markers of inflammation and infarct size in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This was a prospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted to hospital because of ACS. Cardiac biomarkers were drawn.

Causes of increased pollen exposure during Saharan-Sahel dust intrusions.

Airborne particulate matter such as mineral dust comes mainly from natural sources, and the African regions of Sahara and Sahel originate large amounts of the aerosols dispersed worldwide. There is little knowledge about the influence of dust episodes on airborne pollen concentrations, and although the centre and southeast of the Iberian Peninsula are frequently affected by dust intrusions, until now, no specific works have analysed the effect of these episodes on airborne pollen concentrations in these areas. The aims of this study were to analyse the simultaneous occurrence of airborne pollen peaks and Saharan-Sahel dust intrusions in the central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula, and to study the weather conditions - air mass pathways and conditions of air temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure - that influence the airborne pollen concentrations during dust episodes.

Settleable matter in a highly industrialized area: Chemistry and health risk assessment.

Settleable particulate matter (SPM) was collected at two sampling points within an urban area highly affected by nearby industrial activities. Total deposition values up to 386 mg ·m·d were registered, the majority of samples exceeding the limit value established in the legislation in force in Spain until 2002 (300 mg·m·d). Dry deposition values showed high variability (8.

Anthropogenic and meteorological influences on PM metal/semi-metal concentrations: Implications for human health.

There is growing interest in investigating the human health risk associated with metals in airborne particulate matter. The objective of this paper is the health risk assessment of Al, Be, Sb, Sn, Ti and Tl in PM under different advections of air masses. These metals/semi-metal were studied in samples collected in an area influenced by industrial activities in northern Spain with the aim of analysing the variations in PM metal/semi-metal.

Aerobiological importance and allergic sensitization to Amaranthaceae under arid climate conditions.

Species of the Amaranthaceae family are abundant in the Southeast of Spain, one of the driest areas in Europe. The Amaranthaceae include species of interest from the point of view of allergic diseases. With the expansion of aridity, many species belonging to this family will be favoured.

Enrichment factors to assess the anthropogenic influence on PM in Gijón (Spain).

Thirty-two chemical species were determined in PM sampled at a suburban site on the north coast of Spain. Enrichment factors were applied to infer their soil/non-soil origin. The geochemical ratios were calculated using two databases: soil composition from locations in the surroundings of the sampling station and the Earth's average upper-crust composition.

Influence of the ultrasound pretreatment on anaerobic digestion of cattle manure, food waste and crude glycerine.

To increase the production of methane, when cattle manure (CM) is digested, pretreatments can be applied and/or the manure can be co-digested with other wastes. In this research work, a mixture of CM, food waste (FW) and raw glycerine (Gly) in a proportion in weight of 87% CM, 10% FW and 3% Gly was digested, (a) without pretreatment and (b) with pretreatment by ultrasound, applying a sonication energy of 1040 kJ/kg total solids. Specific methane production was 290 L CH/kg volatile solids (VS) without pretreatment and 520 L CH/kg VS with pretreatment.

Imaging Techniques and Scanning Electron Microscopy as Tools for Characterizing a Si-Based Material Used in Air Monitoring Applications.

This paper presents a study of the quartz fibrous filters used as a substrate for capturing the particulate matter (PM) present in the air. Although these substrates are widely used in environmental applications, their microstructure has been barely studied. The behavior of these devices during the filtration process was investigated in terms of their microstructure and the quartz fibers.

Influence of conditioning agents and enzymic hydrolysis on the biochemical methane potential of sewage sludge.

Biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests have been carried out on sewage sludge from two wastewater treatment plants to assess the effect of additives (FeCl(3) and two cationic polyelectrolytes) used in sludge dewatering. BMP tests were also carried out on the concentrated solid phase from the enzymic hydrolysis pre-treatment (42 °C, 48 h). FeCl(3) had no significant effect on specific methane production, obtaining 242-246 LCH(4)/kgVSo.