Recent research has shown that secondary organic aerosols (SOA) are major contributors to ultrafine particle growth to climatically relevant sizes, increasing global cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations within the continental boundary layer (BL). This thesis contains two separate studies investigating SOA characteristics and the implications of SOA on global climate. The first study investigates two critical, but uncertain, characteristics of SOA: (1) the amount of SOA available to condense and (2) the volatility or condensational behavior of SOA. The second study investigates the effect of biological volatile organic compound (BVOC) emission changes on SOA formation from preindustrial to present day, and the effect on CCN concentrations using BVOC emission estimates over the last millennium.

The investigation of the atmospheric fate and transport of semi-volatile organic compounds (SOCs) often requires the sampling of large volumes of air (>100 m3) in a relatively short period of time. Conventionally high-volume pumps are not suitable for remote areas without access to reliable network power. We have developed a flow through sampler for such situations. It consists of a horizontally-oriented flow-tube, that can collect gaseous and particle-bound SOCs from large volumes of air by turning into the wind and having the wind blow through a porous sampling medium such as polyurethane foam. Through both indoor and outdoor experiments, we quantified its air sampling rate (through battery operated anemometers inside and outside of the flow tube), its sampling efficiency (by theoretical plate number analysis of the break-though curves for PCBs, PAHs, OCPs and PBDEs), and its accuracy (by comparison of concentrations, time trends, temperature dependences and isomer ratios with those obtained by conventional high-volume sampling) under conditions of constant and variable meteorological conditions (wind speed, temperature). The flow-through sampler was deployed to monitor SOC concentrations at a remote Chinese research station located close to Nam Co Lake, Tibet. During the campaign, fifteen 1 month-long samples were taken, corresponding to sample volumes between 5,000 and 20,000 m3. Despite those large sample volumes, only HCB and HCHs experienced break-through, but application of frontal chromatograph theory allows the estimation of breakthrough-corrected air concentrations even for those relatively volatile SOCs. The pesticide levels at Nam Co are generally very low. Most pesticides had higher levels during summer, resulting in a strong temperature dependence. This is correlated with air mass origin across the Himalayas in the Gangetic plains of India and Bangladesh. The flow through sampler constitutes a feasible method for reliably and quantitatively collecting SOCs from large air volumes.

Flüchtige organische Verbindungen (Volatile organic compounds (VOC)) sind ubiquitär vorkommende kohlenstoffhaltige Substanzen. Untersuchungen haben relevante VOC-Konzentrationen im Inneren von Gebäuden nachgewiesen. Da der Innenraum zum typischen Aufenthaltsort des modernen Menschen geworden ist, sind diese Schadstoffe in das Interesse der Forschung gerückt. Kinder reagieren unter Schadstoffexposition besonders sensibel, denn viele wichtige Organsysteme befinden sich noch in ihrer Entwicklung. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden Leipziger Daten der LISA-Studie („Einfluss von Lebensbedingungen und Verhaltensweisen auf die Entwicklung von Immunsystem und Allergien im Ost-West-Vergleich“) hinsichtlich möglicher Effekte einer VOC-Exposition auf Erkrankungen der Kinder im 4. Lebensjahr analysiert. Bei der LISA-Studie handelt es sich um eine multizentrische prospektive Geburts-Kohortenstudie, in die von November 1997 bis Januar 1999 insgesamt 3097 gesunde und reife Neugeborene deutscher Herkunft mit einem Geburtsgewicht > 2500 g rekrutiert wurden. Die Berechnungen der vorliegenden Arbeit erfolgten mit VOC-Messwerten um den 3. Geburtstag der Kinder. Die jeweiligen logistischen Regressionsmodelle wurden auf das Geschlecht, die atopische Familienanamnese, eine passive Tabakrauchexposition, das Aufstellen neuer Möbel im Kinderzimmer, Renovierungen und die Erneuerung des Fußbodenbelags in der Wohnung adjustiert. Es ließen sich VOC bestimmen, die bei Konzentrationserhöhungen eine erhöhte Chance für eine akute Bronchitis zur Folge hatten. Als Risikofaktor einer akuten Bronchitis ließ sich außerdem die Erneuerung des Fußbodenbelags in der Wohnung ermitteln. Während sich für eine akute Bronchitis in Abhängigkeit der VOC-Konzentration erstmals eine Dosis-Wirkungs-Kurve ableiten ließ, war dies für allergische Erkrankungen nicht möglich. Weitere Untersuchungen sind notwendig um Pathomechanismen der VOC-Einwirkungen auf den kindlichen Organismus aufzuklären.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Göteborg : Göteborgs universidtet, 2010. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

O crescimento do número de motocicletas nas grandes cidades, em função de fatores como o baixo custo e a alta mobilidade nos centros urbanos, tem sido considerado um importante fator de deterioração da qualidade do ar. Nesse contexto, o monitoramento das emissões gasosas provenientes do escapamento desses veículos é fundamental para o conhecimento da contribuição dessa classe de transporte no agravamento da poluição atmosférica. A partir dessas informações tornam-se possíveis o monitoramento e o controle da qualidade do ar. Para tanto, amostras das emissões de diferentes motocicletas foram coletadas, por meio de dinamômetro, e analisadas por cromatografia gasosa. As emissões das motocicletas foram utilizadas em conjunto com dados meteorológicos utilizando o modelo de trajetória OZIPR e o mecanismo químico SAPRC para demonstrar o impacto na formação do ozônio troposférico na região. As simulações indicam que a concentração de ozônio na troposfera poderá ultrapassar o padrão nacional estabelecido pela Resolução CONAMA 03/90 em até três anos. Além disso, acrescenta-se que as taxas de emissões de compostos legislados emitidos pelas motocicletas utilizadas neste estudo (HC, CO e NOx) já atendem aos níveis preconizados em todas as fases do PROMOT. Assim, além da adoção do PROMOT, se fazem necessárias medidas adicionais para o gerenciamento da emissão de poluentes provindos de fontes móveis. A alteração do tipo de combustível ou até mesmo da fonte de energia, elétrica, por exemplo, seria uma alternativa para o controle da poluição atmosférica / The rising number of motorcycles in major cities, according to factors such as low cost and high mobility in urban centers, has been considered an important factor in deterioration of air quality. In this context, the monitoring of gaseous emissions from the exhaust of vehicles is essential for understanding the contribution of this class of transport in the worsening air pollution. Based on this information become possible to monitor and control air quality. Therefore, emission of different samples were collected motorcycles through a dynamometer, and then analyzed by gas chromatography. Emissions from motorcycles were used in combination with weather data using the trajectory model OZIPR and chemical mechanism SAPRC to demonstrate the impact on the formation of tropospheric ozone in the region. The simulations indicate that the concentration of ozone in the troposphere exceed the national standard established by CONAMA Resolution 03/90 within three years. It also adds that the emission rates of compounds emitted by legislated motorcycles used in this study (HC, CO and NOx) already meet the levels recommended in all phases of PROMOT. Thus, besides the adoption of PROMOT, additional measures are necessary to manage the emission of pollutants coming from mobile sources. Changing the type of fuel or even the source of energy, electrical, for example, an alternative would be to control atmospheric pollution

Title of dissertation: Study of links between biogenic VOC emissions and concentration of tropospheric ozone Kateřina Zemánková, 2010 Dissertation directed by: doc. RNDr. Josef Brechler, CSc. Dept. of Meteorology and Environment Protection, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University in Prague Presented work focuses on influence of volatile organic compounds from biogenic sources on concentration of tropospheric ozone. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) play an important role in the tropospheric chemical system. Together with oxides of nitrogen they form two major components of reactions leading to low-level ozone formation. Volatile organic compounds are emitted into the atmosphere from an- thropogenic as well as from biogenic sources. In global, VOCs from natural sources are approximately ten times higher in magnitude than those of anthropogenic origin. Biogenic VOCs are emitted from various sources among which the forest ecosystems predominate. Group of VOCs of natural origin comprises wide range of chemical com- pounds. Those emitted in highest concentrations are isoprene and group of monoter- penes. Emissions of biogenic VOCs from the area of the Czech Republic have been es- timated based on the high resolution land cover data giving detailed information of sigle tree species...

Ample research has been published regarding the effects of environmental decomposition on volatile organic profiles of tissue, however literature concerning the volatile organic profiles of thermally degraded tissue is limited in quantity and scope. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of temperature on the headspace volatile organic compounds produced by muscle, subcutaneous fat, skin, and punch biopsy samples. The majority of the compounds for each tissue type were alcohols and aldehydes. Compounds were extracted using solid phase microextraction and identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Compounds such as nonanal, 1-octen-3-ol, octanal, and hexanal were present in the volatile organic compound profile for many tissue types at a majority of the temperatures, particularly from 150°C to 300°C. 2-pentylfuran was the most abundant component in the profile of skin samples from 150°C to 300°C. The profile of fresh subcutaneous fat had numerous branched alkanes, while thermally degraded subcutaneous fat profiles were comprised mostly of aldehydes and alcohols. The profile of muscle was primarily composed of alcohols and aldehydes up to 300°C, whereas the most abundant compound at 350°C was trimethylpyrazine. There were consistent compounds identified among each tissue group. The abundance patterns of alcohols and aldehydes over increasing temperatures differed for each tissue type. Analysis of the data gathered in this study indicates that muscle, subcutaneous fat, and skin contribute characteristic compounds, such as alcohols and aldehydes, to the profile of the punch biopsy samples. The findings further suggest that temperature affects the volatile organic profile of tissue in terms of the compounds identified and the abundance trends of certain compounds.

Two meta-analysis of effects of yeast culture and monensin in lactating dairy cows were first performed. Secondly, two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of live yeast (LY) or monensin (M) or both (LY+M) on gas production and fermentation by rumen micro-organisms in vitro in low (40 %) and high (60 %) concentrate diets of dairy cows. Rumen contents were collected from one cannulated lactating Holstein cow. Gas production was measured from 0 to 48 h of incubation. Volatile fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were measured after 48 h. Meta-analysis of monensin indicated decrease dry matter intake (DMI) and increasing milk yield, consequently improving feed efficiency. Meta-analysis of yeast culture did not show improved performance. These results highlighted the importance of the meta-analysis as a useful tool that can be employed to both summarize effects across studies and to investigate factors explaining potential heterogeneity of response. The batch fermentation showed that in high concentrate diet, M significantly increased ammonia nitrogen, decreased acetate, but tended to increase propionate concentration (7.9, 63.2, 18.6 vs. 6.3, 66.8, 14.2 mmol/l; respectively). Addition of LY increased acetate concentration (64.2 vs 66.8 mmol/l). Supplementation with M, LY and LY+M reduced total gas production by 37.1, 22.5 and 26.9 %, respectively, compared to control at 48 h. In low concentrate diet, M and LY+M decreased and increased acetate (60.1 and 69.7 vs. 7.1 mmol/l; respectively). Adding LY and LY+M produced 8.6 % less gas, and M treatment 3.4 % more gas than the control. Overall, at 48 h, high concentrate resulted in less gas than low concentrate diets. High concentrate diets showed increased ammonia (7.9 and 6.4 vs. 5.21 and 4.7 mmol/l) decreased acetate (63.0 and 63.2 vs. 67.0 and 69.7 mmol/l) with a tendency to increased propionate (18.6 and 18.9 vs. 14.6 and 14.1 mmol/l) compared to low concentrate in M and LY+M treated diets. These results indicate that the effects of M and LY on rumen fermentation are substrate dependent, the high-concentrate diet showing the greatest response / Agriculture / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Le travail de la thèse se focalise sur le traitement de l'air chargé en composés organiques volatils (COV) par un procédé d'ozonation avancée sur les zéolithes. Le procédé est basé sur la combinaison de deux techniques, utilisées de manière séquentielle : l'adsorption des COV sur un lit de zéolithes puis la régénération du lit saturé par ozonation. Avant d'étudier leur performance sur l'adsorption puis l'ozonation, les zéolithes ont été caractérisées par l'adsorption à l’azote, par spectroscopie Infra Rouge et par microscopie électronique. La concentration des sites acides de Lewis et de Brønsted ont également été quantifiées. Les interactions binaires entre le toluène et les zéolithes, puis entre l'ozone et les zéolithes sont étudiées. Les équilibres d'adsorption et les courbes de percées sur les différentes zéolithes sont déterminés expérimentalement, puis modélisés. La réactivité de l'ozone sur les zéolithes a été clarifiée, mettant en évidence la décomposition de l'ozone et la création d’espèces oxygénées oxydantes, adsorbées à la surface. L'influence de la concentration en sites acides de Lewis sur la décomposition de l’ozone a été discutée. Enfin, la régénération des adsorbants chargés en COV par l'ozone gazeux a été réalisée. L'influence des propriétés des zéolithes et des conditions opératoires ont été étudiées. / The PhD work focuses on the treatment of Organic Volatile Compound polluted air by an advanced ozonation process on hydrophobic zeolites. The process is based on two steps: gaseous pollutants are firstly adsorbed on zeolite bed; the second step is the regeneration of zeolites charged of COV by gaseous ozone. Firstly, zeolites are characterized by Nitrogen adsorption, analysis of Lewis and Brønsted acid sites, Infrared spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The adsorption equilibrium and breakthrough curve of toluene on different kind of zeolites are determined experimentally and modelled. The study of the reactivity of ozone on fresh zeolites shows that ozone is mainly decomposed on its surface and stable surface oxygenated species are produced. The latter can react with organic pollutant. The influence of Lewis acid site and operating conditions are discussed. Finally, the oxidation by ozone of toluene adsorbed on zeolites is realised. The comparison of zeolite structure and operating conditions (Air humidity, inlet ozone concentration) are carried out.

Poluentes atmosféricos como nanopartículas (N), black carbon (BC) e compostos orgânicos voláteis (COVs) são de importante compreensão para a saúde infantil devido às suas propriedades cancerígenas (N, COVs e BC), bem como podem ser causados ou intensificados sintomas irritativos (COVs e BC), cefaleia, asma, doenças pulmonares e cardíacas (BC). As partículas muito pequenas (N) ainda podem atingir os sistemas cardiovascular e cerebrovascular, e até mesmo prejudicar o desempenho escolar e cognitivo das crianças. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a qualidade do ar indoor (sala de aula) e outdoor (portão de acesso) em escolas, onde as crianças permanecem expostas aos poluentes por um longo período, e comparar os níveis entre os ambientes. Para isso, selecionamos duas escolas da Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre – RMPA: uma em área urbana (Canoas); e outra em área rural (Nova Santa Rita); nas quais foram realizadas 11 campanhas quinzenais de amostragem dos poluentes atmosféricos estudados entre julho e dezembro de 2016. Em complemento, foram medidos NOx, NO2, NO e O3 e variáveis meteorológicas (temperatura, umidade relativa, radiação solar e velocidade do vento) coletados na RMPA. Foram aplicadas técnicas de sensoriamento remoto para a obtenção de imagens dos filtros de BC através de MEV. Os resultados apontam que no ambiente externo - outdoor da escola urbana os níveis máximos de BC e N ocorreram nas horas de rush, devido aos altos níveis das emissões veiculares. Na escola de Nova Santa Rita os níveis de BC e N foram ligeiramente mais baixos, possivelmente por ser um ambiente com pouca influência de fontes de emissão veicular. Por outro lado, os COVs apresentaram maiores concentrações no ambiente interior - indoor das duas escolas, as fontes de emissão destes se encontram dentro das salas de aula e não estão relacionadas com as fontes externas, ou seja, a geração dos COVs é independente de ter fontes de poluição urbana ou rural. Os níveis de BC em área urbana são regidos por fontes de emissões veiculares (outdoor), as quais são facilmente transferidas para o ar indoor, para onde podem carregar consigo outras partículas (contendo, por ex., Fe); além disso, sua dispersão é dificultada em dias frios e com menor velocidade do vento. Enquanto isso, as concentrações de COVs e N são determinadas por uma influência combinada de fontes de emissão, processos secundários de formação e meteorologia, refletindo em maior sensibilidade sob diferentes condições atmosféricas tanto outdoor quanto indoor nas áreas urbana e rural. Importa ressaltar que os dirigentes de escolas rurais devem estar atentos quanto aos níveis de COVs nas salas de aula; enquanto as escolas de centros urbanos devem triplicar a atenção, pois além de COVs há concentrações expressivas de N e BC decorrentes de emissões veiculares, principalmente nas horas de rush que coincidem com o início e fim das aulas, quando as crianças permanecem no outdoor diretamente expostas à poluição veicular. / Air pollutants as nanoparticles (N), black carbon (BC) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may have short and long-term adverse health effects, especially when it comes to children’s health. These pollutants are known to cause cancer and other health effects may include also eye, nose and throat irritation (VOCs and BC), headaches, asthma, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases (BC). Air-pollution-sized nanoparticles (N) can also affect cerebrovascular system. It can negatively affect students’ learning and children’s cognition. The aim of this study was to verify and compare the indoor (classrooms) and outdoor (access gates) air quality in different schools, where the children remain exposed to air pollutants for long hours per day. Two schools in different areas of Porto Alegre Metropolitan Region (RMPA) were chosen: the first one in an urban area (Canoas) and the second one in a rural area (Nova Santa Rita). Eleven fortnightly samplings were conducted to evaluate N, BC and VOCs levels between July 2016 and December 2016. We also used data of gaseous pollutants (O3, NOx, NO2, and NO) and meteorological data (temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind speed) collected in the same area. Remote sensing techniques and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to obtain images of the black carbon filters. In the outdoor site of the urban school, the maximum levels of BC and N were registered in the rush hours due to a high level of vehicular carbon emissions. The lower levels of BC and N in Nova Santa Rita were attributed to the fact the school is located in a rural area, which assumes a less impacted environment. Nevertheless, this study indicates that these compounds are generated during the classroom activities, since the VOCs levels were higher in the two schools indoor sites. The black carbon particles in the urban area come from vehicle emissions (outdoor) and are easily transferred to the school indoor areas. These emissions can also carry other particles (e.g., Fe) and its dispersion can be hampered in cold days with low wind speed. VOCs and N concentrations are site-independent compounds influenced by several emission sources, reactions of primary pollutants and meteorology. It causes them to reflect with a high sensibility in different atmospheric conditions both in urban and rural areas (indoor and outdoor). We would like to emphasize that both rural and urban schools managers should be aware of the risks involving air pollutants in the classroom (especially VOCs). Urban schools boards should also remain vigilant on the expressive concentrations of N and BC near their access gates, arising from vehicle carbon emissions, which represents a risk for the children’s health.