Pollution characteristics and oxidative potential of atmospheric particles at a typical rural area: A case study during the Chinese Lunar New Year

• Published in: Atmospheric pollution research Vol. 15; no. 10; p. 102251
• Main Authors: Jia, Shi-Ming, Weng, Chang-Yu, Wang, Guo-Ying, Ma, Wan-Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2024
• Subjects: Carbonaceous aerosol; Chinese Lunar New Year; EPFRs; Oxidative potential; Pollution characteristics; Rural area; Rural area; Pollution characteristics; Chinese Lunar New Year; Oxidative potential; EPFRs; Carbonaceous aerosol
• ISSN: 1309-1042; 1309-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apr.2024.102251

The emission from solid fuel combustion for cooking and heating has a direct influence on air quality in rural areas, especially in cold season. In this study, the pollution characteristics and chemical compositions of total suspended particle (TSP) were comprehensively studied in a typical rural area during the Chinese Lunar New Year as a case study. In addition, the environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) and oxidative potential (OP) in TSP were analyzed and compared before and after the festival (BF & AF) for better understanding the exposure risk of TSP. The average values of typical combustion products, such as carbonaceous components and PAHs, were at 2.5 times higher BF than those AF due to the impact of anthropogenic emission. The average EPFRs concentration BF was 2.78 ± 0.70 × 1015 spins/m3, whereas the concentration significantly decreased AF (1.07 ± 0.48 × 1015 spins/m3). The source analysis suggested that coal and biomass burning was the major source of EPFRs. The OPv values were in the range of 0.85–10.1 nmol/min/m3 with an average of 3.74 nmol/min/m3, and the peak occurred at the eve of the festival. For OPm, its mean value was up to 12.3 ± 7.8 pmol/min/μg and showed positive correlation with crustal elements (r values for Fe = 0.51 and Mn = 0.49, p < 0.05), indicating the effect of dust-input. In summary, this study provided basic information for better understanding the pollution characteristic and health risk of atmospheric particles. •Pollution characteristics of TSP were studied during the Chinese Lunar New Year.•Concentrations of TSP and major compositions were much higher before the festival.•Coal and biomass burning were the major sources of EPFRs in TSP.•Oxidative potential of TSP showed significant correlation with crustal elements.