Exposure to diesel engine exhaust is linked to chronic and acute illness. In underground mines, workers can be exposed to high concentrations for extended periods of time. Therefore, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces personal exposure and engine emission limits. These regulations target just the solid portion of diesel exhaust, known as diesel particulate matter (DPM). The majority of DPM mass is attributed to particulate organic carbon (POC) and elemental carbon (EC). Total carbon (TC) is the sum of POC and EC and currently used as the surrogate to represent DPM as a whole. The NIOSH Method 5040 is the standard sample collection and analysis procedure. It outlines collection of submicron particulate matter samples on a quartz filter then measurement of POC and EC using a thermal-optical analysis. Error in DPM measurement occurs when volatile organic carbon (VOC) sorbs onto the particulate matter deposit and filter resulting in a positive sampling artifact. To correct for this, a dynamic blank method with two quartz filters (i.e., primary and secondary) in tandem is used. However, the accuracy of the dynamic blank correction method is dependent on equal sorption of VOC onto each filter. Observed instances of higher VOC on the secondary filter result in underestimated POC measurements and in some cases negative POC. The work presented in this thesis investigates the sources of VOC interference in particulate matter sampling and possible solutions. Three existing datasets containing information from blank samples and laboratory and field DPM samples were analyzed to look into instances of higher VOC sorption onto the secondary filter. Negative total POC results were limited to blank samples, but negative results for the POC of individual isotherms were observed in blank and DPM samples. A follow-up study looked into the possibility of sampling materials as a source of VOC that preferentially sorbs onto the secondary filter. Blank samples were assembled to test five sampling materials (i.e., two types of sample cassette, cellulose support pads, impactor cassettes, and impactors). In addition, sample storage conditions (i.e., temperature and duration) were tested for their impact on VOC sorption. It was discovered that all of the sample materials tested contributed VOC and, as expected, higher storage temperatures and longer storage durations increase the amount of VOC. Preferential sorption onto the secondary filter was observed in most conditions as well. A field study explored thermal separation of VOC and POC as a possible alternative to the dynamic blank correction method. Two sets of DPM samples were collected from two locations in an underground stone mine and one set of ambient particulate matter samples was collected from a highly trafficked truck stop. The temperature of 175°C was used for this preliminary investigation. The effectiveness of a temperature separation may depend on sample location. To better understand VOC and POC evolution characteristic, further testing with a wide range of sample mass and composition as well as different temperatures is suggested. It seems unlikely that a correction method using a separation temperature would be more effective than the standard dynamic blank in occupational DPM monitoring. The work presented in this thesis highlights the difficulty in accurately measuring POC. / Master of Science / Diesel Particulate matter (DPM) is the solid portion of diesel exhaust and can cause chronic and acute illness. Underground miners can regularly be exposed to high concentrations of DPM over long periods of time, therefore DPM must be monitored. Total Carbon (TC) is the sum of particulate organic and elemental carbon (POC and EC) and is used as the surrogate measurement to represent DPM. The standard method of DPM sample analysis is subject to volatile organic carbon (VOC) interference, therefore a dynamic blank correction is used. However, in some cases, the dynamic blank over- or under-corrects. This thesis presents studies to better understand the source(s) of VOC interference and possible solutions. Three existing datasets containing information from blank samples and laboratory and field DPM samples were investigated for instances of VOC interference resulting in an overcorrection. Such instances were limited to blank and low mass samples. A field study looked into the possibility of sampling materials as a source of VOC that may cause overcorrection when using the dynamic blank method. Blank samples were assembled to test five sampling materials as well as various sample storage conditions. It was discovered that all of the sample materials tested contributed VOC and, as expected, higher storage temperatures and longer storage durations increase the amount of VOC. A second field study explored thermal separation of VOC and POC as a possible alternative to the dynamic blank correction method. Two sets of DPM samples were collected from two locations in an underground stone mine and one set of ambient particulate matter samples was collected from a highly trafficked truck stop. The temperature of 175°C was used for this preliminary investigation. Results indicate that the effectiveness of temperature separation may depend on sample concentration and composition. To better understand VOC and POC evolution characteristic, further testing with a wide range of sample mass and composition, as well as, different temperatures is suggested. The work presented in this thesis highlights the difficulty in accurately measuring POC.

This dissertation consists of three separate research projects. Each paper uses a different applied econometric technique to investigate problems related to air quality economics. The first chapter is a general introduction to all three studies. The second chapter explores adopting an environmentally-friendly public transportation system in Europe. The Bayesian econometric methods show that willingness to pay for a new public transportation system is primarily driven by improvements to public goods, such as air quality and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The third chapter uses the red tide-related stated experience and satellite imagery of chlorophyll-a concentration as well as field data of respiratory irritation. This chapter illustrates that ancillary scientific information can be efficiently combined with choice experimental data. The fourth chapter uses panel fixed-effect models to investigate the short-term effect of air pollution on students' cognitive performance in China. It is shown that PM2.5 has a significantly negative impact on students' exam performance. / Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation consists of three separate research projects. The first chapter is a general introduction to all three chapters. The second chapter assesses residents' support for environmentally-friendly public transportation (EFPT) upgrades across Europe. We develop a novel Bayesian logit model to investigate residents' willingness to pay for local EFPT upgrades. We find evidence that WTP is primarily driven by expected improvements to public goods, such as air quality and greenhouse gas abatement, as opposed to private ridership benefits. WTP distributions are strongly positive in all nations suggesting implicit public support for EFPT in Europe. The third chapter presents a unique opportunity to validate stated experiences by Florida Gulf coast residents with red tide-related air toxins with satellite imagery of chlorophyll-a concentration, as well as field data on respiratory irritation at local beaches. We find that respondents are more likely to choose our proposed new harmful algal blooms forecast system when the chlorophyll-a concentration or respiratory irritation is higher at nearby coastal locations. Moreover, we illustrate that this ancillary scientific information can be efficiently combined with choice experimental data and consider this research a first step in a broader effort to directly link scientific data on environmental conditions with nonmarket economic outcomes. The fourth chapter investigates short-term exposure of air pollution on students' cognitive performance in a high-stakes exam: China's College English Test (CET). We use student fixed effects in the panel-data model to estimate the effect of air pollution on students' test scores. Our findings indicate a statistically significant negative effect of PM2.5 on exam performance and also show PM2.5 is equally harmful to listening and reading section, and maybe even more for writing section. We also find that short-term exposure causes negative cognitive effects, suggesting that temporary preventative measures could be effective in avoiding the negative effects of PM2.5.

The term diesel particulate matter (DPM) is used to refer to the solid phase of diesel exhaust, which is mainly composed of elemental carbon and organic carbon. DPM is generally in the nano-size range (i.e., 10-1,000 nm). Occupational exposure is a health concern, with effects ranging from minor eye and respiratory system irritation to major cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Significant progress has been made in reducing DPM emissions by improving fuels, engines and after-treatment technologies. However, the mining industry, in particular, remains challenged to curb exposures in some operations where relatively many diesel engines are working in confined environments with relatively low airflow. Basic theory and a limited amount of prior research reported in the literature suggest that water sprays may be able to scavenge airborne DPM. The goals of the work presented in this thesis were to build an appropriate laboratory set up and to test the efficacy of micron-scale water (or fog) droplets to remove DPM from an air stream. The general experimental approach was to direct diesel exhaust through a chamber where fog drops are generated, and to measure DPM up- and down-stream of the treatment. Initially, fundamental experiments were conducted to explore the effect of the fog drops on the removal of (electrically neutralized) DPM from a dry exhaust stream. Compared to no treatment (i.e., control) and with the use of a diffusion dryer downstream of the fog treatment, the fog improved DPM removal by about 57% by mass and 45% by number density (versus no treatment). Without the use of the diffusion dryer, improvement in DPM removal was about 19% by mass. Analysis of the results suggests that a likely mechanism for the DPM removal in this experimental system is thermal coagulation between DPM and fog droplets, followed by gravitational settling and/or impaction of the droplets with system components. Further tests using raw exhaust (i.e., neither dried nor neutralized) having a higher DPM number density; shorter residence times; additional fogging devices; and no diffusion dryer downstream of the fog treatment were also carried out. These yielded an average overall improvement in DPM mass removal of about 45% attributed to the fog treatment (versus no treatment). The significant increase in DPM removal in these tests compared to the initial test (i.e., 19% removal by mass) cannot be fully explained by differences in residence time or DPM and fog droplet densities. Increased humidity in the system (due to the undried exhaust) may have allowed for a larger mean droplet size, and therefore might explain more rapid settling of DPM-laden droplets. Another possible contributing factor is ambient surface charge of the DPM, which might perhaps result in more efficient attachment between DPM and fog drops and/or increased deposition loses in the system. / Master of Science / The term diesel particulate matter (DPM) is used to refer to the solid fraction of diesel exhaust, which is mainly composed of particles in the nano-size range (i.e., 10-1,000 nm). Occupational exposure to DPM is a health concern and can lead to major cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Significant progress has been made in reducing DPM emissions by improving fuels, engines and exhaust treatment technologies. The mining industry, however, remains particularly challenged to reduce exposures in some underground operations where many diesel engines are working in a confined environment. Basic theory and a limited amount of prior research reported in the literature suggests that small water droplets (or “fog”) may be able to remove DPM from air. The objectives of the work presented in this thesis were to build an appropriate laboratory setup and to test if and how such a treatment may work. The general experimental approach was to direct diesel exhaust through a chamber where fog drops are generated, and to measure DPM up- and down-stream of the treatment. Initially, experiments were conducted to explore the effect of the fog treatment on the removal of DPM from a dry exhaust stream. Compared to no treatment, results indicated an improvement in DPM removal of about 20% by mass when fog drops (presumably carrying DPM) are allowed to settle in a long tube downstream of the chamber; and a total improvement of about 57% by mass was observed when any drops that had not settled in the tube were dried using a diffusion dryer. Further tests using raw exhaust (i.e., neither dried nor neutralized) and no diffusion dryer downstream of the chamber and tube resulted in additional improvements in DPM removal (i.e., about 45% by mass as compared to the 19% previously observed). This suggests that increased humidity and/or surface charge on the DPM may have improved the fog treatment. Analysis of the experimental results reported here suggests that a likely mechanism for DPM removal by the fog droplets involves attachment between the DPM and fog, followed by settling and/or impaction of the drops with treatment system surfaces.

The problems of particulate matter air pollution were analyzed, statistical data about particulate matter pollution in the world and in Lithuania were presented, necessity of particulate matter concentration assessment in the air of Žirmūnai and Žvėrynas districts of Vilnius were described, the main aims and tasks of work were described in the final master work. The data of Lithuanian air quality stations were analyzed too, and it was assessed that Vilnius is one of the most particulate matter polluted Lithuanian cities. The biggest concentrations of this pollutant during analyzed period were fixed in the Žirmūnai and Žvėrynas air quality stations. The methodology of investigation of particulate matter concentration in the air of Žirmūnai and Žvėrynas districts was described; places of measurement points, operation of a real time monitor „Microdust pro“ were characterized and the results of recording were presented, too. The model of particulate matter carry in Žvėrynas district with the help of „Phoenics“ modelling programme was made. The data of investigation (results of recording particulate matter concentration) and calculated results were compared, conclusions and suggestions given. The work has 6 chapters: introduction, the ambient air pollution with particulate matter; investigation of particulate matter concentration in the air of Vilnius districts, mathematical modelling of particulate matter concentration in the air of Žvėrynas district, general conclusions and... [to full text]

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering / Ronaldo G. Maghirang / Emissions of particulate matter (PM) are an increasing concern for large open beef cattle feedlots. Research is needed to develop science-based information on PM emissions and abatement measures for mitigating those emissions. This research was conducted to (1) measure PM concentrations emitted from large cattle feedlots, (2) compare different samplers for measuring concentrations of PM with equivalent aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm or less (PM10), (3) evaluate the relative effectiveness of pen surface treatments in reducing PM10 emissions, and (4) predict PM control efficiency of vegetative barriers. Concentrations of PM with equivalent aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5), PM10, and total suspended particulates (TSP) upwind and downwind of two large cattle feedlots (KS1, KS2) in Kansas were measured with gravimetric samplers. The downwind and net concentrations generally decreased with increasing water content (WC) of the pen surface; for effective control of PM emissions from feedlots, it appears that pen surface WC should be at least 20% (wet basis). Three types of samplers for measuring PM10 concentrations in feedlots KS1 and KS2 were compared: Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance™ (TEOM), high-volume (HV), and low-volume (LV) PM10 samplers. Measured PM10 concentration was generally largest with the TEOM PM10 sampler and smallest with the LV PM10 sampler. A laboratory apparatus was developed for measuring the PM10 emission potential of pen surfaces as affected by surface treatments. The apparatus was equipped with a simulated pen surface, mock cattle hooves that moved horizontally across the pen surface, and PM10 samplers that collected emitted PM10. Of the surface treatments evaluated, application of water (6.4 mm) and hay (723 g/m2) exhibited the greatest percentage reduction in PM10 emission potential (69% and 77%, respectively) compared with the untreated manure layer. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was applied to predict airflow and particle collection by a row of trees (2.2 m high × 1.6 m wide). Predicted particle collection efficiencies generally agreed with published data and ranged from less than 1% for 0.875-µm particles to approximately 32% for 15-µm particles.

Harmattan and Dust (sand) storms together with anthropogenic activities including the use of firewood and kerosene as fuel for cooking, and diesel/petrol generators for electricity generation are potential sources of particulate and gaseous pollutants in homes in Damaturu town, Nigeria. Other activities like the burning of locally produced incense and mosquito coils as well as the use of aerosol sprays are further possible sources of indoor pollution, which may result in exposure of people to a range of pollutants through inhalation, by ingestion of settled dusts as well as dermal contact. Local people associate occurrence of dust events with adverse health effects and hence there is a need for an understanding of the composition of the settled and airborne dusts in order to assess the possible associated health risks. The first phase of the study involved selection and development of methods of dust sampling and analysis. For validation of the methods employed and to establish a broad understanding of the characteristics of the settled dusts, an initial survey study was conducted involving the application of thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD/GC/MS) analysis for organic compound analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for analysis of metals, and microbiological analysis. Airborne samples were also collected using sorbent tubes to determine organic compounds in air during activities such as cooking with kerosene, gas, and firewood as well as during electricity generation with fossil fuels. Carbon monoxide (CO) and ultrafine particles (UFPs) monitored simultaneously during some of the household activities. The study involved a novel method of extracting organic chemical emissions from dust by heating of the dusts directly in a micro chamber (μ-CTETM) and collection of emissions on sampling tubes. The method provided a relatively quick way of collecting chemical emissions from dusts that are readily available for release. The sampled tubes were analysed by TD/GC/MS. The conventional solvent extraction of the dusts was also carried out and the extracts were analysed by liquid injection-GC/MS and results of the two methods compared. The study determined a number of constituents (metals, SVOCs, phthalates and physical properties) of dusts collected from households in Damaturu during different weather events and from different indoor/outdoor locations; and compared with some UK samples. The samples investigated include dusts deposited; during two notable dusty-weather events (Harmattan and Storm) as well as when there was no notable dust event; during human activities; and dusts from different types of buildings (modern and traditional homes) as well as inside and outside homes. A standard reference material for organic chemicals (SRM 2585) was also analysed. The physical characterization of the settled house dust samples analysed revealed the various shapes and sizes, and elemental composition of the constituents, which included respirable particles. The microbial analysis also indicated the presence of the spores of a host of fungi and bacterial species; and the possible contributions of household activities to the increased production of pollutants (UFP and CO) ascertained. The μ-CTE extraction of the house dusts by heating with TD/GC/MS analysis of the emissions as well as the solvent extraction-GC/MS revealed the presence of many organic chemical compounds with different analytical retention times and varying concentrations in the dust samples. Chemicals of interest quantified: benzene, hexanal, nonanal, diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutylphthalate (DIBP), dibutylphthalate (DBP), and diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP). A host of other chemicals commonly present in the analysed samples identified using the NIST library associated with the MS system software. These chemicals included naphthalene and C10-C16 aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, which would need confirmation by running the pure compound samples. There was an observed higher concentration of the chemicals in the solvent extracts than the μ-CTE extracted dust. The higher concentration of the chemicals in the solvent extracts expected due to the aggressive removal of the chemicals by the organic solvent whereas in the case of thermal extraction only the readily available chemicals (loosely bound to the matrix) released by increases in temperature were removed. Generally, the concentrations of the chemicals found were higher in the indoor than in the outdoor dust samples. In the analysis of the dusts collected during weather events; higher chemical concentrations observed in the samples collected during Harmattan period than the other periods. The Harmattan dust period may pose increased exposures to dust and possible health risks. More exposure is expected to occur in the traditional homes compared with the modern homes due to the higher concentrations of the chemicals in both the indoors and the outdoors and this may be especially important to women and children who spend most of their times at home. Metal analysis involved microwave-assisted digestion of the dust samples followed by ICP-MS analysis. The total quant method of metal analysis for a general profiling indicated the presence of more than 50 elemental contaminants in house dust. The results of the quantitative analysis for six target metals: Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn showed their presence in all indoor and the outdoor dust samples. The mean concentrations showed that the metals were in higher concentrations in the indoor dusts than in the outdoor dusts. The quantitative analysis carried out indicated higher metal contents in the storm dusts than the dusts during the other periods. Results of the dusts collected from modern and traditional homes indicated the presence of the metals in higher concentrations in the dusts from traditional homes than the dusts from the modern homes. The estimated mean concentrations of the metals and phthalates inadvertently ingested as a constituent of dust indicated that some of the pollutants could exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) due to high exposures to dust expected to be the case in Damaturu. The results of the investigation of the dust composition, combined with information on exposure to dust and pollutants, show that dusts are a risk to the health of people in the Damataru community. Recommendations are made for more studies to provide a better understanding of dust ingestion and exposure to some phthalates and heavy metals in particular and the possible health risks. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first ever research study of airborne and settled dusts undertaken in North-Eastern Nigeria.

U.S. Federal regulations requiring on-board diagnostics of diesel particulate filters have created a demand for compact, inexpensive, fast, and accurate sensors for measuring the particulate matter (PM) content of diesel exhaust. An electronic sensor capable of measuring the carbonaceous fraction (soot) of PM has been developed at The University of Texas at Austin. The behavior and performance of this sensor was characterized in both an older style non-emission controlled diesel engine and a modern heavy-duty diesel certified in 2008 to meet current federal emissions standards. The ability of the sensor to detect particulates at the regulated level of 15 mg/bhp-hr downstream of a leaking particulate filter was demonstrated. Under optimal conditions, the sensor was shown to have a resolution of 0.003 mg/bhp-hr, or 0.005 mg/m3. The sensor operated by measuring the flux of charged particles, ions, and electrons to an electrode immersed in an exhaust gas flow. Two distinct modes of operation were demonstrated. In the first, the sensor detected particles carrying residual charge from the combustion process. In this mode, the sensor was shown to be relatively insensitive to particle morphology and to be sensitive to exhaust gas velocity. In the second, charge carriers (particles, electrons, and ions) were created in the strong electric field produced by a second electrode at high voltage. In this mode, the sensor was found to be relatively insensitive to exhaust gas velocity, but quite sensitive to the orientation of the sensor in the exhaust flow. The size and number density of the particles was found to have a strong influence on the sensor sensitivity: as number density increased with increasing load or decreasing EGR rate, so did sensor sensitivity. Thus, as changes in engine operating condition affect particle morphology, the behavior of the sensor changes. A numerical model of the discharge mechanism in the form of an atmospheric pressure glow discharge was implemented to model the charge creation and transport. The model accurately predicted the nanoamp-level electrode currents produced in a real sensor to within a half order of magnitude with no empirical fits. The model tended to over-predict the sensitivity of sensor output to applied voltage but matched the observed sensitivity within an order of magnitude. Due to the lack of modeling flow field effects it predicted a 250% increase in sensitivity for a gap width reduced by 50% where a comparison of real sensors showed a decrease in sensitivity of 25% with a 50% reduction in gap width. / text

Tobacco smoking has been proved to be harmful to human health and is a known cause of many diseases. It has been shown that not only active smoking can cause health inconveniences - even an exposure to the environmental tobacco smoke (so called secondhand - SHS - or passive smoking) is a serious threat to human health, in some aspects nearly as severe as active smoking. Being aware of these risks, many countries have recently amended their policies which more or less restrict smoking in public places, especially workplaces and hospitality venues. In the Czech Republic, the smoke-free policy belongs to the less strict related to other countries, because it does not restrict smoking at all public places - restaurant and bar owners can choose whether their venue is smoke-free or not and their duty is only to label their venue both outside and inside. The law also enables the option of setting smoking and non-smoking spaces within the restaurant or bar. In a representative sample (over 100) of smoking and non-smoking sections of these restaurants and bars the concentrations of PM2.5, a marker of SHS concentrations, were measured with a photometer. The venues were divided into 3 groups according to the extent of separation of the sections. Parallel to the measurements, the gender composition and smoking...

La pollution atmosphérique est le produit de fortes émissions de polluants (et de leurs précurseurs) et de conditions météorologiques défavorables. Les particules fines (PM2.5) sont l'un des polluants les plus dangereux pour la santé publique. L'exposition répétée ou prolongée à ces particules entraîne chaque année des maladies respiratoires et cardio-vasculaires chez les personnes exposées ainsi que des morts prématurées. L'évolution du climat dans les années à venir aura un impact sur des variables météorologiques (température, vents, précipitations, ...). Ces variables influencent à leur tour divers facteurs, qui affectent la qualité de l'air (émissions, lessivage par les précipitations, équilibre gaz/particule, ...). Si de nombreuses études ont déjà projeté l'effet du changement climatique sur les concentrations d'ozone, peu se sont intéressées à son effet sur les concentrations de particules fines, en particulier à l'échelle du continent européen. C'est ce que cette thèse se propose d'étudier. La circulation atmosphérique de grande échelle est étroitement liée aux variables météorologiques de surface. Par conséquent, il est attendu qu'elle ait également un impact sur les concentrations de PM2.5. Nous utilisons dans cette thèse une approche statistique pour estimer les concentrations futures de PM2.5 à partir d'observations présentes de PM2.5, de quelques variables météorologiques pertinentes et d'outils permettant de représenter cette circulation atmosphérique (régimes et types de temps). Le faible nombre d'observations journalières de PM2.5 et de ses composants en Europe nous a conduit à créer un jeu de données pseudo-observées à l'aide du modèle de qualité de l'air Polyphemus/Polair3D, puis à l'évaluer de façons opérationnelle et dynamique, afin de s'assurer que l'influence des variables météorologiques sur les concentrations de PM2.5 est reproduite de manière satisfaisante par le modèle. Cette évaluation dynamique d'un modèle de qualité de l'air est, à notre connaissance, la première menée à ce jour.Les projections de PM2.5 sur les périodes futures montrent une augmentation systématique des concentrations de PM2.5 au Royaume-Uni, dans le nord de la France, au Benelux et dans les Balkans, et une diminution dans le nord, l'est et le sud-est de l'Europe, en Italie et en Pologne. L'évolution de la fréquence des types de temps ne suffit pas toujours à expliquer l'évolution de ces concentrations entre les périodes historique et futures, car les relations entre circulation atmosphérique de grande échelle et types de temps, entre types de temps et variables météorologiques, et entre variables météorologiques et concentrations de PM2.5 sont amenées à évoluer dans le futur et contribuent à l'évolution des concentrations de PM2.5. L'approche statistique développée dans cette thèse est nouvelle pour l'estimation de l'impact du climat et du changement climatique sur les concentrations de PM2.5 en Europe. Malgré les incertitudes qui y sont associées, cette approche est facilement adaptable à différents modèles et scénarios, ainsi qu'à d'autres régions du monde et d'autres polluants. En utilisant des observations pour définir la relation polluant-météorologie, cette approche serait d'autant plus robuste / Air pollution is the result of high emissions of pollutants (and pollutant precursors) and unfavorable meteorological conditions. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the pollutants of great concern for human health. Every year, a repeated or continuous exposure to such particles is responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among the concerned populations and leads to premature deaths. Climate change is expected to impact meteorological variables (temperature, wind, precipitation,...). Those variables will influence numerous factors, which will affect air quality (emissions, precipitation scavenging, gas/particle equilibrium,...). A large body of studies have already investigated the effects of climate change on ozone, whereas only a few have addressed its effects on PM2.5 concentrations, especially over Europe. This is the subject we investigate in this thesis. Large-scale circulation is closely linked to surface meteorological variables. Therefore, it is expected that it will impact PM2.5 concentrations too. In this thesis, we develop a statistical algorithm to estimate future PM2.5 concentrations from present PM2.5 observations, selected meteorological variables and tools to represent this circulation (weather regimes and weather types). The lack of daily observations of PM2.5 and its components over Europe prevents us to used observations. Consequently, we have created a pseudo-observed PM2.5 data set, by using the Polyphemus/Polair3D air quality Chemical-Transport Model. Both operational and dynamic evaluations were conducted against EMEP measurements, to ensure that the influence of meteorological variables on PM2.5 concentrations is correctly reproduced by the model. As far as we know, this dynamic evaluation of an air quality model with respect to meteorology is the first conducted to date.Future PM2.5 concentrations display an increase over the U.K., northern France, Benelux, and in the Balkans, and a decrease over northern, eastern, and southeastern Europe, Italy, and Poland compared to the historical period. The evolution of weather type frequencies is not sufficient to explain the PM2.5 changes. The relationships between the large-scale circulation and the weather types, between the weather types and meteorological variables, and between meteorological variables and PM2.5 concentrations evolve with future meteorological conditions and also contribute to PM2.5 changes. The statistical method developed in this thesis is a new approach to estimate the impact of climate and climate change on PM2.5 concentrations over Europe. Despite some uncertainties, this approach is easily applicable to different models and scenarios, as well as other geographical regions and other pollutants. Using observations to establish the pollutant-meteorology relationship would make this approach more robust

Le fer et ses composés, notamment les (oxyhydr)oxydes, sont présents dans la nature et produits par les activités anthropiques. Ce caractère ubiquiste du fer et sa sensibilité aux conditions environnementales en fait un excellent traceur de sources et de processus.Cette thèse a pour objectif de tracer l’impact de l’Homme sur les matières en suspension (MES) de la Seine à partir des propriétés magnétiques de sa fraction ferrugineuse en utilisant les outils et méthodes du magnétisme environnemental.Un échantillonnage des MES a permis de couvrir le cours de la Seine et ses affluents durant différents contextes hydrologiques. Des analyses ont été conduites sur ces MES afin de caractériser les particules ferrugineuses magnétiques et d'examiner leurs relations avec les conditions environnementales dans lesquelles elles se sont formées et/ou ont évolué.La magnétite apparait comme l’oxyde dominant et montre une forte affinité avec la fraction fine des MES et ses propriétés magnétiques peuvent être utilisées pour décrire la charge sédimentaire de la Seine et les phénomènes de remise en suspension.Des augmentations de tailles et de concentration de magnétites sont associées à l’urbanisation et aux activités industrielles. Les variations spatiales entre amont et aval des confluences et les variations temporelles montrent que le cours d’eau joue un rôle dans les mécanismes d’accumulation, transport et dilution de ces particules. / Iron and its compounds, in particular iron (hoxyhydr)oxides are ubiquitous in both nature and human activity, and are sensitive to environmental conditions. They can hence be used as environmental source and process tracers.This thesis focuses on tracing the human activities impact in the ferruginous compound of the suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the Seine River (France) using environmental magnetism tools.SPM sampling was conducted along the Seine path and its tributaries during different hydrological contexts. Magnetic properties were measured to characterize the ferruginous magnetic particles and to examine their relationship with the environment in which they have been formed.The main magnetic carrier is magnetite. It is concentrated in the fine sediment fraction and its magnetic properties can be used to trace the sediment load and hydrodynamic processes of the Seine.Increases in concentration and grain size of magnetite particles are associated to urbanization and industrial activities which are sources of anthropogenic particles. Significant variations can be observed between upstream and downstream of confluences and in the temporal scale and can be associated to hydrodynamic processes such as dilution, accretion, transport and re-suspension of the ferruginous particles.