Concentration of atmospheric particulates during a dust storm period in central Taiwan, Taichung

doi:10.1016/S0048-9697(01)00996-2

Science of The Total Environment

Volume 287, Issues 1–2, 15 March 2002, Pages 141-145

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(01)00996-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

In this study we monitored concentrations of particles in central Taiwan using PS-1 (GPS1 PUF Sampler) and Model 310 Universal Air Sampler™ (UAS^TM) from 02/23/2001 to 03/12/2001 at two sampling sites. During this period, an Asian dust storm moved across central Taiwan from 3/3 to 3/6. The total ambient air particle concentrations during the dust storm period were than compared with previous data from this region. In general, the average total suspended particulate (TSP) concentration order was during dust storm period>after dust storm period>non-dust storm period at both HKITT (traffic) and THUC (rural) sampling sites. The ratio of PM_2.5/PM₁₀ was 60% before and after the dust storm period. However, this ratio was decreased to less than 50% during the dust storm. This demonstrates that the coarse particulate concentrations (PM_2.5–10) increased during the dust storm period. In contrast the increase of ambient air particles concentrations after the Taiwan Chi-Chi Earthquake were mainly due to fine particles (PM_2.5). And, the increased of ambient air particles concentrations after dust storm period were mainly coarse particle (PM_2.5–10) concentrations in central Taiwan.

Introduction

Recent epidemiological studies have shown that suspended particulate matter considerably influences respiratory health. Associations between suspended particulate matter and lung function parameters, respiratory symptoms and mortality have been found (Dockery et al., 1993). The whole mass concentration of suspended particulates in the air is called total suspended particulates (TSP). Particles less than 10 μm (0.01 mm) in aerodynamic diameter are called respiratory particulates or particulate matter₁₀ (PM₁₀), whereas PM_2.5 denotes fine particles less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (Ohlström et al., 2000). Nevertheless, the dust suspended in the atmosphere by dust storms is not reported as part of the routine meteorological observations. This finding was unexpected because it contrasts with the interpretation that the loess accumulations are mainly attributable to strong dust storms and dust fall events. Furthermore, this conclusion has generated some controversy in relation to the hemispheric to global-scale transport of Asian dust (Zhang et al., 1999). Dust particles are emitted from deserts of central Eurasia are carried east by prevailing winds of middle latitude and deposited in East Asia, even to the seas east of China. A famous example is the huge Loess created by millions of years of dust depositions. So, the dust emission inventory is of great significance and even larger than the scale of environmental problems such as acid rain and global climate change. The annual dust emission amount is some 43 million tons, and the dust emission in the spring season accounts for a half of this (Xuan, 1999). This study discusses changes in the concentration of particles during the dust storm period in central Taiwan. In addition, correlation coefficients between TSP, PM_2.5, PM_2.5-10 and PM₁₀ were also studied during the dust storm period.

Section snippets

Sampling program

Ambient particle concentration was sampled near a major road in front of the Hungkuang Institute of Technology (HKITT) and on the Tunghai University Campus (THUC), which are described as traffic and rural sampling sites, respectively. Additionally, three EPA air pollutant monitoring stations (His-Tun, Chung-Min and Sha-Lu) were also included and compared with the data measured in this study (Fig. 1). TSP (24 h), PM_2.5 (24 h) and PM_2.5–10 (24 h) were also measured at the THUC (rural) sampling

Results and discussion

The sampling number, sampling period, and average particle concentrations are listed in Table 1. At the HKITT (traffic) sampling site, the highest TSP concentrations (229.0 μg m⁻³) occurred during the dust storm period. The period after dust storm was ranked second (average 139.5 μg m⁻³), followed by the non-dust storm period (average 126.9 μg m⁻³). The concentration in the THUC (rural) area ranged from 85.4 μg m⁻³ (non-dust storm period) to 164.8 μg m⁻³ (dust storm period). Statistical

Conclusion

The major conclusions of this study are as follows:

1
The HKITT (traffic) sampling site had the highest TSP concentrations (229.0 μg m⁻³) during the dust storm period. The concentrations were approximately 1.8 times the normal as non dust storm particle concentrations (126.9 μg m⁻³) at the HKITT (traffic) sampling site. Statistical results also proved that particle concentrations were different during the dust storm period.
2
The ratio of PM_2.5/PM₁₀ was approximately 60% before and after the dust

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the National of Science Council of the ROC (Taiwan) for the financial support under project No. NSC 89-2211-E-241-007.

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Short communicationConcentration of atmospheric particulates during a dust storm period in central Taiwan, Taichung

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Sampling program

Results and discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Sci Total Environ

Chemosphere

Atmos Environ

Atmos Environ

Short communication
Concentration of atmospheric particulates during a dust storm period in central Taiwan, Taichung