Throughout the era of globalization, industrial development and transportation have brought about hazardous air environment especially in developing countries. Southeast Asia with large number of labor and natural sources has expanded manufacturing area as well as the problem of local community being reluctant air pollutant. It seems to be double suffocation with emitting frequently forest fire fume covering some parts of Thailand and Indonesia. These reasons can lead to around 5-time exceeding of annual standard in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQs). Without fresh ventilation, filtration has become more important but it may be not affordable for low income people. So this study aims to develop low cost air dust purifier being suitable for hot and humid climate based on NAAQs and BS EN. Based on low cost and general air purifying techniques, fabric filter and solid fibre mop were selected for air cleaning efficiency evaluation in laboratory. For fabric filter, in one cubic meter wooden box, pleated fabric filter was installed in the middle of box and body spray was sourced as air particulate matter sized 2.5 micron (PM2.5). The result demonstrates air cleaning efficiency of fabric filter at 85% with high fan speed. This is equal F7 in BS EN and MERV 16 in NAAQs for fine dust filtration. Turning to solid fibre mop evaluation, mops with several sizes of fibre diameter in particular (A) 0.08-0.58 mm, (B) 0.22 mm and (C) 0.16 mm were installed in the middle of box sized 0.41 m width, 0.51 m length and 0.45 m height. The results show the highest efficiency to clean PM2.5 and PM10 at 36% in mop C and 25% in mop B respectively. Moreover, multiple mops C and A have high rapidity of air PM2.5 removal at 0.050 mg/sec in 300 seconds; while multiple mops B and C have high rapidity of air PM10 removal at 0.005 mg/sec in 300 seconds. According to performance to clean PM2.5 and PM10, mop B with TiO2 coating on solid fibre was selected to integrate within filter lamp. Environmental factors are found to affect PM2.5 concentration in different trend. Temperature responded negatively; while relative humidity provided positive relationship to PM2.5 concentration. In most case of solid fibre mops tests, relative humidity dropped PM2.5 removal efficiency, but increase PM10 removal efficiency. However, high relative humidity and temperature in the filter lamp tests were set high as same as in tropical climate. After laboratory tests, fabric filter was combined within floor lamp as lamp shade and solid fibre mop was set in the middle core of lamp with coated TiO2 2.0% concentration and UV light bulb. Fan unit was set in the bottom of lamp in order to control system flow speed in application system. The application was placed in 2.5x2.5x2.5 m3 bedroom for cleaning indoor PM2.5 in six different algorithms comparing to existing PM2.5 concentration. The best efficiency of PM2.5 removal is 99.07% of regime F with fabric filter, TiO2 coating mop and fan speed at 3 m/s. This is also ranked into F9 in BS EN and MERV16 in NAAQs for fine dust cleaning filtration. Without photocatalytic process in regime B, C and D, the application could be used in lower efficiency. Higher fan speed was substantial effect on PM2.5 removal efficiency and rapidity for filter lamp. This filter lamp was found high efficiency to clean indoor PM2.5 in hot and humid condition. Based on low cost development, this application can be applied with natural ventilation system in buildings in Southeast Asia hot and humid climate. Also other conditional climate buildings may integrate this application with lower air cleaning efficiency.

Techniques employed in vibrational spectroscopy monitor the vibrational modes of functional groups within biomolecules and enable a correlation between chemical information and histological structures. Interrogation of biological samples using infrared (IR) techniques generates spectrum with wavenumber-absorbance intensities specific to biomolecules within the sample. Methods are relatively non-destructive, and so samples can subsequently be analyzed by more conventional approaches. Analyses can be carried out ex vivo or in situ in living tissue, where a reference range of a designated normal state can be derived, and anything lying outside this range is potentially atypical. Computational approaches allow one to minimize within-category confounding factors. The application of vibrational spectroscopy in contaminant biomonitoring is a welcome development which has enabled the investigation of realtime contaminant exposure effects in the tissues of sentinels. IR techniques such as attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, was able to detect changes in various tissue samples exposed to varying levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This technique discriminated between spatial and temporal variations in the interrogated tissues. Multivariate analysis was able to relate the alterations at various regions of the fingerprint, to PAH exposure and was able to detect PAH exposure in tissues from sites with no documented knowledge of contamination. ATR-FTIR detected PAH-induced changes in isolated nuclei of cultured cell populations in G0/G1 and S- phases of the cell cycle. Findings from the various projects affirm, that techniques involved in IR spectroscopy are highly sensitive to minimal changes in cell molecules. The ability to generate rapid results in real-time is valuable and the wide variety of sample types which can be interrogated using IR techniques makes it a suitable technique for environment biomonitoring.

This research aimed to investigate whether the unique numerical methods available within CFD model software Fluidity could progress the state-of-the-art in various aspects of modelling effluent dispersion within the marine environment. Fluidity contains a large library of models and numerical methods that enable modelling of flow processes at a wide range of scales. It has been proven to perform well when used for massively-parallel simulations (i.e. it scales well), and it has the uncommon facility of unstructured mesh adaptivity, which has the prospect of significantly increasing the efficiency of CFD simulations when guided skillfully. This research also forms part of a longer-term project to create a coupled (or even single) model of effluent dispersion that represents influencing factors from a wide range of scales (from tidal currents down to turbulent eddies) entirely using CFD techniques. As such, one aspect of the research was to validate the numerical methods available within Fluidity for use in modelling effluent dispersion. To facilitate this validation, some of the model studies investigate aspects of effluent dispersion modelling from a hypothetical outfall site off the North-East coast of the United Kingdom. Studies were performed in a series of stages in which key aspects of effluent dispersion modelling were addressed. CFD models were created of near-field jet dispersion, tidal motion, and far-field plume dispersion. Idealised test cases were also performed to investigate the performance of advection-diffusion solver methods. At each stage the aim was to investigate the benefit of novel numerical modelling techniques and compare their accuracy and efficiency to existing methods. A set of near-field buoyant jet dispersion CFD models were created, one representing conditions associated with power, and combined power and desalination plants, and one representing conditions typically associated with desalination discharge. These CFD models utilised a mesh adaptivity algorithm to optimise mesh resolution during the course of the simulation. Model predictions were compared with published laboratory data and the predictions from validated integral models. An assessment was made of when CFD offers a benefit over other modelling options, and when it might be sufficient to use cheaper tools. There was also a discussion of the effectiveness of mesh adaptivity in increasing model efficiency, together with advice for how and when it is best to use mesh adaptivity when modelling buoyant jet dispersion. Model results showed that with modest parallel computing resources and expertise, high-resolution simulations of jet dynamics can be achieved with reasonable accuracy using CFD modelling. A model was created of tidal flow within the European continental shelf and results were compared to a large database of tide gauge measurements. This model took advantage of recently published methods for ocean model meshing and coastline resolution reduction. The purpose of this study was to confirm that these methods offered a benefit to model accuracy and efficient, and also that Fluidity could be used to accurately generate the tidal forcing boundary conditions for a far-field model of effluent dispersion at a hypothetical outfall site. The predictions of M2 tide amplitude in the vicinity of the outfall site had an average error of 10.1% compared with tide gauge measurements. The predictions of S2 tide amplitude in the vicinity of the outfall site were even closer to tide gauge measurements, with an average error of 3.7%. The speed of the model solve showed a vast improvement over a previous comparison model study, with 37 days of tidal motion being simulated in 15.2 hours (58.4 seconds of simulation for each second of solving), compared to the comparison simulation with a similar level of accuracy, which simulated 2 seconds of tidal motion for every second of solver time. A series of simplified test cases were run to assess a commonly-used advection-diffusion solution method from the library of those available within Fluidity. This work was intended to give general confidence that the numerical methods available within Fluidity are suitable for modelling coastal processes and so give confidence in later multi-scale results. The test cases chosen were relevant to coastal dispersion, including those testing tracer advection, diffusion, point sources and stratification. The method compared well with results published using world-leading free surface modelling software, Open TELEMAC. A model was created of the dispersion of neutrally-buoyant dissolved pollutant from a hypothetical outfall. The assumed effluent is typical of that released from a manufacturing plant. The aim of this modelling was to validate the use of Fluidity for modelling effluent dispersion within the coastal zone, and also investigate the benefit of using 2-d horizontal mesh adaptivity to optimise model mesh resolution during the course of the simulation. It was shown that the use of mesh adaptivity improved model efficiency, significantly lowering the effect of numerical diffusion. Finally, a short outline was given of a prospective strategy for producing a coupled-model of effluent dispersion, using as a basis the techniques developed within this thesis. The proposed coupled model of effluent dispersion would include a near-field jet model two-way (i.e. 'fully-coupled') to a far-field plume model. Tidal forcing would be provided by a one-way coupled tidal model. Fluidity is capable of modelling all of these processes and so third party coupling software would be unnecessary.

No description available.

In this thesis I examine scientific practices which produce data on air pollution, and the ways in which these data are managed and co-ordinated by researchers to make claims about air pollution. In doing so, I attend to the everyday practices and experiences of scientific research, exploring the ways in which science is a social and cultural endeavour. Based on three years ethnographic fieldwork with a multi-disciplinary project studying the relationship between Weather, Health and Air Pollution (WHAP), I trace the local meaning of research, but also its implications, as part of a wider ensemble of environmental health and policy relations. Managing different data and co-ordinating research practices was understood by scientists as a fundamental part of doing ‘collaborative research’. Collaboration was performed through the movement of data, and also became an ethnographic device by which I traced and followed the activities of scientists. Working with data was considered ‘real’ scientific work, and it was this appeal to authenticity that led me to examine data as a form of material practice. The craftwork involved in the production and use of data illustrates the embodied and tacit nature of research. The way in which these different types of knowledge were negotiated by researchers shows that ‘objectivity’ is situated, and that scientific legitimacy is contingent on the social and technical configuration of tools, technologies, people and standards. Drawing upon research from social and cultural studies of science, I emphasise both the representational and performative shape of science. The reciprocal nature of data practices configure and enact accepted ways of seeing air pollution which make scientific claims appear as ‘natural’ and logical. These not only represent air pollution but mobilise policy norms and modes of intervening, and therefore particular ideas, values and power dynamics. The chapters in this thesis explore the collection, production, processing and re-use of multiple air pollution data, and how the relations - of technologies, people and ideas - imbricated in data mobilise air pollution as an environmental health concern.

Across Europe anthropogenic emissions have changed substantially over recent decades, due in part to the implementation of air pollution control legislation. It is important to understand the effect that such changes in emissions have on atmospheric aerosols and their impact on air quality and climate. The composition climate model HadGEM3-UKCA and long term observations of aerosols are used to simulate and evaluate the change in aerosols over the period 1960 to 2009. Simulated sulphate mass, total aerosol mass and aerosol number concentrations from HadGEM3-UKCA were underestimated but temporal trends were in better agreement when compared to observations. The inclusion of aerosols was found to be essential when reproducing the observed brightening trend in surface solar radiation across Europe since 1990. The all-sky aerosol radiative forcing (relative to a 1980-2000 mean) increased by >3 W m-2 during the period 1970-2009 due to reductions in aerosol concentrations. The sensitivity of sulphate aerosol formation and aerosol radiative effects to an increase in cloud water pH were investigated over the period 1970 to 2009. Sulphate aerosol mass increased over regions with large SO2 emissions but decreased at other locations. A positive response in the all-sky aerosol radiative effect was simulated due to reductions in aerosol number concentrations. Over Europe the aerosol radiative forcing between 1970 and 2009 varied from +1.5 to +7 W m-2 depending on whether an increase or decrease in cloud water pH was assumed. This shows the additional uncertainty that could exist in aerosol radiative effects if temporal changes in such parameters are not considered. Two emission scenarios have been used to assess the effect of European air quality legislation and technology improvements since the 1970s on particulate air quality, human health and climate. European annual mean PM2.5 concentrations reduced by 35% and are calculated to have prevented 80,000 premature deaths annually across the European Union, a perceived financial benefit to society of US$232 billion. A positive response in the all-sky aerosol radiative effect was simulated, which has increased European annual mean surface temperatures by 0.45 °C. The implementation of legislation and technology improvements has improved air quality and human health across Europe but also had an unintended impact on climate.

The global pollution of aquatic environments with microplastics and their interaction with wildlife is of concern. Ingestion of plastic has been reported for a wide range of species but little is known about the potential effects of such ingestion. The aim of this thesis was to assess the biological effects that are induced by the ingestion of microplastic in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Novel data for the ingestion, retention, egestion and induced effects of microplastic in multiple ontogenetic life stages are presented. Microplastics of different types and sizes were found to be ingested from the water and diet. Additionally, trophic transfer of microplastic was found as a further route for ingestion. Whereas ingestion of relatively small plastic was not found to induce blockages or obstructions of the gastrointestinal tract, ingestion of relatively large plastic had the potential to result in prolonging effects on food digestion. However, all used microplastics were found to be egested successfully. Effects on length, weight and condition index K were found but varied between exposure types and data suggests that observed short term effects were induced by plastic associated chemicals. Whereas molecular analysis of cytochrome P450 1A confirmed exposure to xenobiotics, relative expression of vitellogenin indicated no exposure to oestrogenic, plastic derived chemicals. Degraded polymer structures showed to have a higher biological activity due to enhanced leaching of endocrine disrupting, plastic derived chemicals and showed a potential to disturb energy metabolism. In addition, plastic was found to act as vectors for absorbed bisphenol A from the water column via trophic transfer to stickleback larvae where desorption of accumulated chemicals had the potential to induce toxic effects. The data presented in this thesis indicate that microplastics can be ingested and can induce negative effects in multiple ontogenetic life stages of sticklebacks.

The United Kingdom and Mexico have established goals to reduce CO2 emissions. With the publication of the Climate Change act in 2008 Britain acknowledges that is technologically ready to implement changes to bring important reductions of CO2 emissions. Mexico included Climate Change abatement in its 2007 development program. UK aims to achieve a reduction of 80% and Mexico a reduction of 50% in their CO2 emissions by the year 2050. To achieve these reductions both countries face the challenge of improving activities such as better use of fuels, for example natural gas for energy production or diesel used in road freight transport vehicles. Freight transport currently accounts 25% of global carbon emissions; with road freight as the fastest growing sector for both countries. The use of biofuels or clean energy powered vehicles is far from a 100% implementation in the fleet. Because of this improving the fuel efficiency in the current operation signifies an opportunity to reduce emissions. The United Kingdom is ahead in legislation through taxation, market incentives and research to encourage reductions from freight transport. Mexico is in its way to the creation of a Climate Change Law. This dissertation aims to determine which lessons Mexico can learn from the United Kingdom in its improvement of freight transport sector in two levels. The Macro level looks at legislation and private sector initiatives, and the Micro level simulating 11 scenarios using real data from operation of a food manufacturer provided by the StarFish Project. The scenarios simulate the implementation of a series of best practice recommendations to reduce emissions and improve operation. The results evidence that at a Macro level Mexico can implement legislation mechanisms to stimulate the reduction of CO2 emissions in the transport sector. At a Micro level the simulations show that even for developed countries like the United Kingdom there is a big potential to reduce carbon emissions from the freight transport sector. The outcome of the dissertation is that learn from experiences from other countries applies not only for Mexico and other developing countries but for every country aiming to improve the reduction of CO2 emissions.

We spend about 90% of our time inside buildings, where we control the quality of the environment for health, thermal comfort, security and productivity. The quality of the indoor environment is affected by many factors including the design of the building, ventilation, thermal insulation and energy provision and use. To improve thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption, the inside environment has been almost completely isolated from the outside environment in recent years, through making buildings airtight. However, as dwellings are made more airtight internal pollution sources (such as heating and cooking) can have a greater impact on the indoor air quality and occupants may experience adverse health effects. The main objective of this research was therefore to investigate indoor air pollutant emissions in relation to energy use in residential buildings, with a focus on particulate matter (PM). Three environments were investigated: (i) a rural house with an electric cooker; (ii) a citycentre flat with a gas cooker; and (iii) an urban flat on a main road, also with gas appliances. Concentrations of PM, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in the kitchens and enhanced emission rates were calculated for cooking periods. Although there has been a great deal of research examining the effects of gaseous pollutants in the indoor environment, this is the first study to focus on PM. This study showed that most particulates were small (≤2.5μm) and thus respirable. The elemental analysis of the PM revealed high metal concentrations (Fe/Na/Zn), whilst their morphologies indicated these were present as salt, skin flakes and mineral fibres. Cooking activities were found to directly contribute to PM2.5 emissions in the indoor environment. In the kitchen of the rural house with the electrical cooker, PM2.5 emission rates ranged from 5 to 22 mg/hr. The city centre flat with a gas cooker had higher PM2.5 concentrations and thus also greater emission rates (up to 54 mg/hr). CO concentrations were generally quite low - around 1-2 ppm in all three residential environments. During cooking however, the CO levels became elevated in the kitchens with the gas cookers (Cases 2 and 3), as this was a significant source of this species; levels often peaked at 10-20 ppm during cooking. For Case 1, where an electric cooker was installed, there was no difference in CO levels during cooking and non-cooking periods. In the rural house (Case 1), since there was no source of NO2 emissions inside, the indoor and outdoor NO2 concentrations were the same, around 10-11 μg/m³. However in the city-centre flat (Case 2), the gas cooker was found to be a significant source of NO2 and thus the indoor concentration was much greater than the outdoor levels (47 μg/m³ compared to 15 μg/m³) and the resultant indoor emission rate was also high - up to 65.5 mg/hr. The VOC concentrations were consistently higher in the indoor environments at all locations compared to outdoor levels. The highest emission rate for VOCs was for the kitchen of Case 2, the city-centre flat (~ 43 mg/hr). This study has shown that indoor air quality is influenced by fuel, type of cooker, and cooking method. Air quality in residential buildings, especially in the kitchen, was generally poorer when using gas appliances compared to when an electric cooker was used; this was true for both solid and gas-phase pollutants. In addition, indoor air was strongly influenced by outdoor sources of pollution.

Industrial and urban activities in the Leeds catchment of the River Aire have caused the widespread dispersal and contamination by a variety of pollutants, including heavy metals. This contamination is reflected by enhanced metal concentrations in the sediments and soils of the river and floodplain. The cycling of sediment and associated metals in the fluvial environment is highly related to hydrological, geomorphological and chemical phenomena. The main research objective is to investigate quantitatively the dispersal, storage and remobilisation of heavy metals in the Leeds reach of the River Aire. A wide variety of relevant processes are analysed. Metal pollution studies have often neglected urban and industrial catchments, where sources of pollutants to the river channel are diverse. In the past, heavy metals have entered the river from industrial activities, sewage disposal and coal combustion. The main present source of metals is the disposal of domestic and industrial effluent from sewage treatment works. The fluvial dispersal of wastes has caused enhanced concentrations of heavy metals in aquatic sediment and floodplain soils. This results in long-term storage of metals in river corridors and poses problems as sediments act as a source of contaminants long after pollution of the fluvial system has been abated. The pollution problem is most severe immediately downstream of sewage treatment works, through the city centre, where traffic and industrial density is greatest and where floodplains are frequently inundated with floodwaters. Heavy metals are not necessarily permanently fixed by the sediment and can be remobilised through mechanical, chemical and biological processes, affecting surface and groundwater quality and plant animal and human health. However, it is not the total amount of a metal stored in sediment, but how it is actually bound that is important in assessing its environmental impact. Results suggest that a significant proportion of each metal is held in a potentially mobile and bioavailable form, particularly cadmium. The data collected is used to compile mass budgets of sediments and associated metals for the alluvial area of the River Aire in Leeds.