The utilization of radial growth responses of trees to diagnose air pollution injury, and problems of growth defects interfering with the establishment of growth chronologies, is discussed. Cores from trees in an air pollution-stressed forest are examined for their potential to crossdate. Less than half, and usually less than a third of the trees on all plots can be crossdated, and number appears to be associated with changing conditions along a transect of elevational and pollution levels. Chronologies developed along this transect are presented.

No description available.

Aerosols change the Earth's energy balance. Black carbon (BC) aerosols are a product of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass burning and cause a net warming through aerosol radiation interactions (ari) and aerosol cloud interactions (aci). BC aerosols have potentially strong implications on the Arctic climate, yet the net global climate effect of BC is very uncertain. Best estimates assume a net warming effect, roughly half to that of CO2. However, the time scales during which CO2 emissions affect the global climate are on the order of hundreds of years, while BC is a short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) with atmospheric life times of days to weeks. Climate models or atmospheric transport models struggle to emulate the seasonality and amplitude of BC concentrations in the Arctic, which are low in summer and high in winter/spring during the so called Arctic haze season. The high uncertainties regarding BC's climate impact are not only related to ari and aci, but also due to model parameterizations of BC lifetime and transport, and the highly uncertain estimates of global and regional BC emissions. Given the high uncertainties in technology-based emission inventories (EI), there is a need for an observation-based assessment of sources of BC in the atmosphere. We study short-term and long-term observations of elemental carbon (EC), the mass-based analog of optically-defined BC. EC aerosol concentrations and carbon-isotope-based (δ13C and ∆14C) sources were constrained (top-down) for three Arctic receptor sites in Abisko (northern Sweden), Tiksi (East Siberian Russia), and Zeppelin (on Svalbard, Norway). The radiocarbon (∆14C) signature allows to draw conclusion on the EC sources (fossil fuels vs. biomass burning) with high accuracy (&lt;5% variation). Stable carbon isotopic fingerprints (δ13C) give qualitative information of the consumed fuel type, i.e. coal, C3-plants (wood), liquid fossil fuels (diesel) or gas flaring (methane and non-methane hydrocarbons). These fingerprints can be used in conjunction with Bayesian statistics, to estimate quantitative source contributions of the sources. Finally, our observations were compared to predictions from a state of the art atmospheric transport model (coupled to BC emissions), conducted by our collaborators at NILU (Norwegian Institute for Air Research). Observed BC concentrations showed a high seasonality throughout the year, with elevated concentrations in the winter, at all sites. The highest concentrations were measured on Svalbard during a short campaign (Jan-Mar 2009) focusing on BC pollution events. Long-term observations showed that Svalbard (2013) had overall the lowest annual BC concentrations, followed by Abisko (2012) and Tiksi (2013). Isotope constraints on BC combustion sources exhibited a high seasonality and big amplitude all across the Eurasian Arctic. Uniform seasonal trends were observed in all three year-round studies, showing fractions of biomass burning of 60-70% in summer and 10-40% in winter. Europe was the major source region (&gt;80%) for BC emissions arriving at Abisko and the main sources were liquid fossil fuels and biomass burning (wood). The model agreed very well with the Abisko observations, showing good model skill and relatively well constrained sources in the European regions of the EI. However, for the Svalbard and East Siberian Arctic observatories the model-observation agreement was not as good. Here, Russia, Europe and China were the major contributors to the mostly liquid fossil and biomass burning BC emissions. This showed that the EI still needs to be improved, especially in regions where emissions are high but observations are scarce (low ratio of observations to emitted pollutant quantity). Strategies for BC mitigation in the (Eurasian) Arctic are probably most efficient, if fossil fuel (diesel) emissions are tackled during winter and spring periods, all across Eurasia. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Manuscript.</p>

IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON OXIDATIVE DNA DAMAGE Vlasta Svecova Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine AS CR, v.v.i. Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4 Tel.: +420 241 062 669, fax.: +420 241 062 785, e-mail: svecova@biomed.cas.cz This thesis deal with impacts of air pollution on human health. The biomarkers of biologically effective dose, biomarkers of oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins, were studied. We aimed at importance of individual pollutants, measured the personal exposure to these pollutants and analyzed the biomarkers of oxidative damage to macromolecules. c-PAHs (carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) bound to airborne PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm) and volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and m,p,o-xylenes, BTEX) were studied as ones of the biologically most important pollutants. Personal and outdoor concentrations of c-PAHs together with personal exposure to BTEX were measured. The concentrations of pollutants were correlated with biomarker levels in different seasons and localities. Bus drivers in Prague, 6-10 years old children from Teplice and Prachatice and policemen with office workers from Ostrava region were the model populations. Oxidative damage to DNA were measured by 8-oxodeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG), 15-F2t-...

Legal Regulation of Air Quality Protection Abstract This diploma thesis provides an overview of the legislation on air quality in the Czech Republic with a focus on the regulation in the Act No. 201/2012 Coll., on air protection including a detailed analysis of some problematic aspects and current issues. Air pollution is the actual global issue that is discussed not only in the Czech Republic but also all over the world, mainly because of the harmful effects on human health and the environment. This paper is organized as follows. The introductory chapter defines the necessary terms, which are essential to the following text of the paper. This chapter also describes the distribution of air pollutant sources and the importance of this distribution for subsequent obligations. The next chapter provides an overview of the historical development of Czech, international and European air quality legislation following by chapters, where the individual types of regulatory instruments to reduce air pollution are analyzed. The chapter on conceptual instruments mainly focuses on the National Emission Reduction Programme of the Czech Republic and an Air Quality Improvement Programs, including an analysis of the changes brought by the amendment to the Air Protection Act implemented by Act No. 172/2018 Coll. Moreover...

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Environmental Sciences) at the School of Geography, Archaeology & Environmental Studies , Johannesburg, 2017 / There is a growing interest in the reclamation of the old gold mines’ tailings dumps in Johannesburg city region driven by the economic value of the remaining gold resource. This reclamation activity is accompanied by various rehabilitation methods to reduce issues such as acid mine drainage and wind pollution. The impact of land use and land cover change (LULCC) can have an enormous impact on land development and planning. Monitoring of LULCC is very important in the planning and decision making processes. Remote sensing (RS) as the source of basic data for monitoring change is very highly recommended as tool to monitor changes occurring in the Johannesburg City Region as a result of rehabilitation and reclamation of the gold mines’ tailings deposits. The main aim of the study is to understand how the reclamation and rehabilitation of the historical tailings dumps in Johannesburg are changing land use patterns of the city and its precincts. The objectives are to quantify the changes in land use and land cover as the results of mining rehabilitation using Landsat earth observation data over a period of 30 years at five years intervals and; to recommend on how the land cleared of waste dumps could be used for looking at the surrounding environment spatially. Various Geographical Information Systems techniques are applied here for change detection analysis and monitoring of potential changes in urban dynamics patterns. The results show rate of rehabilitation and reclamation to be slow, taking several years to see a meaningful change. There is some form of bias towards transforming the reclaimed land into industrial zones as opposed to other activities. The success of tailings dumps rehabilitation through revegetation process is highlighted. / MT 2018

Introdução: A avaliação dos riscos a saúde da população associados a exposição aos poluentes de origem veicular é, ainda, um importante desafio para pesquisadores e formuladores de políticas públicas de saúde e ambiente. Objetivos: Estudar a associação espacial das internações por doenças respiratórias e a poluição relacionada ao tráfego no município de São Paulo. Método: Dados de internações hospitalares por doenças respiratórias do sistema público e privado, no periodo de 2004-2006, foram georreferenciados por endereço do paciente. Foram selecionados os CIDs J20-J22 e J40-J47 para crianças menores de 5 anos e os diagnósticos J40-J47 para idosos com idade superior a 64 anos. A área urbana do município foi dividida em uma grade com células de 500mx500m e calculada a densidade de tráfego. Variáveis populacionais, socioeconômicas e o IDH foram convertidos da base de setor censitários para a grade, usando o ArcGIS ArcInfo 9.3. Análise de clusters foi realizada usando o modelo discreto de Poisson para o cálculo do risco esperado para cada grupo etário, com o uso do Software SaTScan v8.0. Para estudo da dependência espacial entre a taxa de internação por respiratórias em cada subgrupo e a densidade de tráfego total foram empregados o índice de Moran (I) e o Local Indicator for Spatial Autocorrelation (LISA), utilizando o software OpenGeoDa 1.2.0. A análise de regressão espacial entre a taxa de internação em cada grupo e a densidade de tráfego foi realizada utilizando o Pacote R R Core Team (2012). Resultados: Foi encontrada associação espacial significativa entre o risco de internação por doenças respiratórias em crianças menores de 5 anos e a densidade de tráfego no município de São Paulo. Para idosos, com idade superior a 64 anos, os resultados não foram significativos. As análises de cluster e de autocorrelação espacial mostraram padrões espaciais diferenciados para crianças e idosos. A análise de autocorrelação (I de Moran) evidenciou maior associação entre internações por doenças respiratórias e densidade veicular para crianças do que para idosos. Os resultados da análise de regressão espacial mostrou associação positiva entre a taxa de internações em crianças e a densidade de tráfego, quando controlado pelo IDH-M. No caso de idosos, o coeficiente de regressão foi negativo. Conclusão: A poluição relacionada ao tráfego configura-se como importante fator de risco à saúde de crianças na cidade de São Paulo e medidas de redução das exposições bem como de redução dos fatores de vulnerabilidade devem ser priorizadas / Introduction: The assessment of population health risks associated with exposure to vehicular pollutants source is, still, a major challenge for researchers and policymakers to health and environment. Objectives: Studying the spatial association of hospitalization for respiratory diseases and air pollution related to traffic in São Paulo. Methods: Data on hospital admissions for respiratory diseases from the public and private sectors, for the period 2004-2006, were geocoded by patient address. We selected CIDs J20-J22 and J40-J47 for children under 5 years and the diagnoses J40-J47 for elderly over the age of 64 years. The urban area was divided into a grid of cells with 500mx500m and calculated the density of traffic. Population variables, socioeconomic and HDI were converted base census sector to the grid, using ArcGIS ArcInfo 9.3. Cluster analysis was performed using the discrete Poisson model to calculate the expected risk for each age group, using the software SaTScan v8.0. To study the spatial dependence between the rate of hospitalization for respiratory in each subgroup and traffic density were employed full index Moran (I) and Local Indicator for Spatial autocorrelation (LISA) using the software OpenGeoDa 1.2.0. Spatial regression analysis between the rate of hospitalization for each group and the traffic density was performed using the package R \"R Core Team (2012). Results: We found significant spatial association between the risk of hospitalization for respiratory diseases in children under 5 years and the traffic density in the city of São Paulo. For elderly people, aged over 64 years, the results were not significant. The cluster analysis and spatial autocorrelation showed distinct spatial patterns for children and elderly. The analysis of autocorrelation (Moran\'s I) showed greater association between hospital admissions for respiratory and vehicular density for children than for older people. The results of the spatial regression analysis showed a positive association between the rate of hospital admissions in children and traffic density when controlled by HDI. In the case of the elderly, the regression coefficient was negative. Conclusion: The traffic- related air pollution configured as an important risk factor to the health of children in the city of São Paulo and measures to reduce exposures and reduction of vulnerability factors should be prioritized

Este trabalho avaliou a deposição úmida de duas localidades da cidade de São Paulo (Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie localizada na região central e no IAG/USP localizado na zona oeste de São Paulo) e uma localidade pertencente ao município de Cubatão (CEPEMA), na Baixada Santista. O período de estudo compreendeu os meses de julho/2009 a agosto/2010 para o IAG/USP e Cubatão; enquanto que o conjunto amostral no Mackenzie é referente ao período de julho de 2002 a outubro de 2008. A partir da comparação com dados climatológicos verificaram-se para ambas as regiões que o ano de 2009 teve um inverno anomalamente chuvoso; e o ano de 2010 apresentou um verão seco. Observaram-se diferentes faixas de concentrações médias ponderadas por volume (MPV) dos íons majoritários para cada região: Cubatão, onde os íons dominantes foram: cloreto (60,3 mol L-1), sódio (51,4 mol L-1), sulfato (24,0 mol L-1), amônio (23,3 mol L-1) e nitrato (17,4 mol L-1); enquanto que na região do IAG/USP os íons dominantes foram: amônio (25,5 mol L-1) e nitrato (16,3 mol L-1). Obtiveram-se valores médios de pH em água de chuva de 4,8 e 5,3 em Cubatão e São Paulo respectivamente. Registraram-se 12 eventos (em 99) de chuvas ácidas em Cubatão e apenas um entre 59 eventos no IAG/USP. Estimou-se a contribuição marinha para os íons Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, K+, Cl- e SO42-, observou-se que o íon de referência mais adequado para tal estimativa em São Paulo foi o sódio, entretanto para Cubatão o íon mais adequado foi o magnésio. A partir destas premissas pode se destacar que os íons potássio, cálcio e sulfato apresentaram baixa influência marinha em ambas as regiões (<11%), entretanto, o íon cloreto apresentou grande contribuição marinha (>63%) para os dois municípios. A análise estatística multivariada para São Paulo destacou o papel da relação entre o íon amônio com sulfato e nitrato no processo de neutralização da acidez da atmosfera; além da relação da brisa marítima com as concentrações dos íons sódio e cloreto, principalmente no período chuvoso. Ressalta-se também que a contribuição de sódio e cloreto não foi unicamente oceânica e que processos antrópicos e/ou naturais continentais desconhecidos contribuíram para estas concentrações. / This study evaluated the wet deposition of two localities in São Paulo city (University of Mackenzie in the central region and the University of Sao Paulo, IAG/USP, in the west area) and one in Cubatão (CEPEMA), both in Sao Paulo State. The sampling period happened from July 2009 to August 2010 in the IAG/USP and CEPEMA; while the samplings in the Mackenzie were from July 2002 to October 2008. The climatological data analysis showed that the year 2009 had an abnormally rainy winter, and 2010 presented a dry summer for both regions. The major ion volume weight mean (WMV) concentrations for Cubatão were: chloride (60.3 mol L-1), sodium (51.4 mol L-1), sulfate (24, 0 mol L-1), ammonium (23.3 mol L-1) and nitrate (17.4 mol L-1), while in the IAG / USP the dominant ions were: ammonium (25.5 mol L-1) and nitrate (16.3 mol L-1). The average rainwater pH values in CEPEMA and in IAG/USP reached 4.8 and 5.3 respectively. The acid rain events were recorded in 12 samples of Cubatão (from 99 totals) and only one (from 59 total samples) in the IAG/USP. The marine contribution were estimated for Ca2+, Na+ / Mg2+, K+, Cl- and SO42- and was observed that the most appropriate reference ion for this estimative in Sao Paulo was the sodium, however to Cubatão the most appropriate ion was magnesium. From these premises it is emphasized that the potassium, calcium and sulfate showed low marine influence in both regions (<11%), however the chloride ion showed large marine contribution (> 63%) for the two regions. Multivariate statistical analysis to Sao Paulo rainwater has highlighted the role of the relation between ammonium with sulfate and nitrate in the process of neutralizing the acidity of the atmosphere, besides of the relation of sea breeze with the concentrations of sodium and chloride ions, especially in the rainy season. The results also emphasized that the contribution of sodium and chloride was not natural oceanic only and anthropogenic and/or natural unknown sources on the continent contributed to these concentrations.

A Câmara de Topo Aberto, CTA, foi adaptada para gerar um gradiente da concentração da poluição atmosférica ambiente por material particulado fino, capaz de ser utilizado em experimentos toxicológicos. Uma vez que os aerossóis urbanos são composições quimicamente complexas, com comprovada toxicidade na saúde e mecanismos de ação sobre o homem ainda pouco conhecidos, a utilização conjunta da CTA com sistemas sentinela simples e de baixo custo, capazes de detectar efeitos tóxicos agudos, constituem alternativa para avaliação desse ambiente. A Câmara de Topo Aberto, CTA, foi documentada em termos de dimensões, especificações e características operacionais, e avaliada durante 60 dias. A concentração ambiental média diária de material particulado fino no período foi de 28,6 ug/m3 e a redução média dessa concentração obtida no interior da CTA foi de 75%. Tradescantia clone 4430, KU20 e pallida cv. Purpurea foram colocadas dentro e fora da CTA para avaliar a resposta de bioensaios nesse gradiente de exposição. O protocolo de mutação em inflorescência (Trad-MCN) foi aplicado nos três espécimes vegetais, e detectou uma menor quantidade de micronúcleos no interior da CTA (p=0,002). Nos clones foram aplicados os protocolos de mutação em pêlo estaminal (Trad-SHM) e aborto em grão de pólen, tendo sido detectada menor resposta para as plantas colocadas no interior da CTA (p=0,007 para pêlo estaminal e p= 0,041 para grão de pólen). Folhas dos três espécimes foram coletadas e submetidas à análise por fluorescência de raio-X. Foi detectada redução na concentração de titânio nas folhas coletadas dentro da CTA (p=0,049). A análise fatorial identificou a presença de fontes de solo e automotiva, com menor concentração observada nas folhas colhidas dentro da CTA. A utilização da CTA com bioensaios no ambiente urbano mostrou ser capaz de detectar efeitos agudos em plantas frente ao gradiente de exposição obtido. / Open Top Chamber was modified to obtain a differential concentration on environmental pollution capable to be used on toxicological studies. Since urban aerosol constitutes a very complex chemical composition, with well known toxic action on health but requesting clarification about their biological mechanisms, the use of Open Top Chamber with low cost sentinel systems seems to be an alternative to detect acute toxic effects on such environment. Open Top Chamber was described on its dimensional and operational characteristics, and operated on a 60 days campaign. During this campaign the daily average concentration of fine particles was 28,6 ug/m3 and inside the Open Top Chamber it was obtained a reduction about 75% on such concentration. Tradescantia clone 4430, KU20 and pallida cv. Purpurea were placed inside and outside the chamber to evaluate bioassay response on each pollution concentration. The Trad-MCN bioassay detected a lower micronuclei count on plants inside the chamber (p=0,002). Clones were submitted to stamen hair mutation (Trad-SHM) and pollen mother cell abortion protocols, detecting also a lower effect on plants inside the chamber (p=0,007 for stamen hair mutation and p=0,041 for pollen mother cells abortion). Leaves of all spices were collected and submitted to X-ray fluorescence analysis. The titanium concentration was lower on samplers collected inside the chamber (p=0,049). The factorial analysis identified the presence of elements from soil and automotive sources with a lower concentration on samples collected inside the chamber. The combined use of Open Top Chamber with bioassay on urban environment is capable to detect acute effects on plants when submitted to the obtained particulate concentration reduction.

FERREIRA, Tatiane Morais. Efeito da massa e dos constituintes químicos do material particulado inalável sobre admissões hospitalares por doenças respiratórias e circulatórias em cidade de porte médio, 2015. 112f. Dissertação (Mestrado) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Ambiental (PROCAM) Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 2015. Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde, a poluição atmosférica é atualmente o principal fator de risco ambiental para a saúde no mundo, principalmente aos grupos mais vulneráveis como crianças e idosos. Em relação ao material particulado inalável (MP10) ainda há incertezas quanto às características físico-químicas que são determinantes de sua toxicidade na saúde. Diversos estudos vêm correlacionando níveis de poluentes com o estado de saúde populacional. Entretanto, tais correlações têm sido feitas principalmente em cidades de grande porte. Assim, é de grande importância estender as avaliações para outras cidades, como as de médio porte, a fim de conhecer os níveis de concentração a qual a população está sendo exposta, para que medidas preventivas possam ser tomadas. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a associação entre as concentrações de MP<2, MP2-10 e MP10 e seus constituintes químicos (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+e Mg2+) com as admissões hospitalares por doenças respiratórias e circulatórias em crianças e idosos. Para isso, realizou-se um estudo ecológico de séries temporais a partir de dados de internação por doenças respiratórias em crianças (5 anos) e idosos (60 anos) e por doenças cardiovasculares em idosos, residentes em São José dos Campos, São Paulo, entre março/2010 e fevereiro/2011. Para a análise utilizou-se regressão de Poisson em Modelo Aditivo Generalizado, com ajuste para tendência temporal, variáveis meteorológicas (temperatura e umidade), dias da semana e feriados. Foi encontrada associação estatisticamente significativa entre MP10 e MP2-10 apenas com as doenças respiratórias em crianças e idosos. A cada 10 g/m3 de MP2-10 o aumento no risco de internações para crianças e idosos foi de 20% (IC95%: 11;30) e 23% (IC95%: 13;34), respectivamente, e para MP10 o risco foi cerca de 13% em ambos os grupos. Para o MP<2 observou-se associação estatisticamente significativa para as doenças respiratórias em crianças e circulatórias em idosos. A cada 10 g/m3 de MP<2 o aumento no risco de internação foi de 26% (IC95%: 9;45) para doenças respiratórias em crianças e 20% (IC95%: 6;35) para doenças circulatórias em idosos. Quanto às espécies químicas observaram-se riscos específicos para cada constituinte sobre cada causa analisada. De modo geral, o SO42- no MP2-10 e o K+ no MP<2 foram os constituintes associados ao aumento no risco de internação por todas as causas e em todos os grupos avaliados. Esses resultados estão em acordo com as evidências de que os riscos para diferentes causas variam em relação à fração do MP10 e sua composição química. Porém, para valer-se de estimativas de maior confiabilidade, há necessidade da disponibilização de dados para os demais constituintes químicos de ambas as frações do MP10 e por um período de tempo maior. / FERREIRA, Tatiane Morais. Mass and the chemical constituents effect of inhalable particulate matter on hospital admissions for respiratory and circulatory diseases in medium-sized city, 2015. 112f. Thesis Masters Dissertation - Graduate Program of Environmental Science, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 2015. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is currently the main environmental risk factor for health in the world, especially to the most vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. Regarding the inhalable particulate matter (PM10) there is still uncertainty about the physical and chemical characteristics that are determinants for toxicity in health. Several studies have correlated pollutant levels with the health status of the population. However, these correlations were performed mainly in large cities. Therefore, it is very important to extend the evaluation for other cities, such as medium-sized, in order to know the concentration levels to which the population is being exposed so that preventive measures can be taken. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between PM<2, PM2-10 and PM10 concentrations and its chemical constituents (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) with hospital admissions for respiratory and circulatory diseases in children and the elderly. To do so, we carried out an ecological time-series study using hospitalization data for respiratory diseases in children (5 years) and elderly (60 years) and cardiovascular disease among elderly people living in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, between March 2010 and February 2011. For the analysis we used Poisson Regression in Generalized Additive Model, adjusted for temporal trends, meteorological variables (temperature and humidity), day of week and holidays. A statistically significant association between PM10 and PM2-10 was found only with respiratory diseases in children and elderly. The increase in hospitalization risk for children and the elderly was 20% (CI95%: 11;30) and 23% (CI95%: 13;34) for every 10 µg/m3 of PM2-10, respectively, and for the PM10 the risk was about 13% in both groups. For the PM<2 there was a statistically significant association for respiratory diseases in children and circulatory in the elderly. The increase in hospitalization risk was 26% (CI95%: 9;45) for respiratory diseases in children and 20% (CI95%: 6;35) for circulatory diseases in the elderly, for every 10 g/m3 of PM<2. For chemical species we observed risks specific to each constituent and for each cause of hospitalization analyzed. In general, the SO42- in the PM2-10 and the K+ in PM<2 were the constituents associated with an increase in the hospitalization risk for all causes and for all study groups. These results are in accordance with the evidence that the risks for different causes vary according to different fractions of PM10 and its chemical composition. However, to obtain more reliable estimates, one needs data on other chemical constituents of both PM10 fractions and over a longer period of time.