Network study of particulate matter distribution within the urban canopy layer using magnetic biomonitoring – assessing of CAR-FMI model performance and representativeness of a monitoring station
Aug 2026· Air quality, atmosphere and health· Vol 19· 0 citations· 72 references
Abstract
The distribution of air pollution in urban environments is greatly influenced by its source and the complexity of the urban environment, which determine the pollution concentrations in individual locations. Traffic is one of the main pollution sources in cities and, especially particulate matter (PM) poses a serious risk for public health. This study applies magnetic biomonitoring using moss bags to establish an extensive urban canopy layer monitoring network (n = 52) to study the distributions and concentrations of magnetic PM. Moss bags were placed at street and roof levels within the grid plan area of Turku, Finland, for 62 days in late autumn. Samples were analysed for mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (χ), hysteresis parameters and elemental components. At street level, traffic was the primary source of magnetic PM and related elements. At higher altitudes, these concentrations were reduced and mainly replaced by crustal elements. Magnetic measurements were also applied to test for equivalence with the CAR-FMI dispersion model and to assess the representativeness of an air quality monitoring station in the city centre. Inconsistencies were observed between the model and magnetic PM concentrations at street level. At rooftop level, the model estimates were higher than indicated by the magnetic PM. The magnetic measurements complemented measurements derived from supplementary monitoring sensors and Turku monitoring station. The representativeness of the monitoring station should be re-evaluated, and recategorizing should be considered. Magnetic biomonitoring using moss bags is an unparalleled tool for monitoring airborne PM pollution and a reliable tool for evaluating monitoring stations and dispersion model performance.
Urban air pollution remains a major public health concern, with road traffic representing one of the dominant sources of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds in growing cities. This study evaluates the level of chemical air pollution in Alba-Iulia municipality (Romania) through two measurement campaigns (May 2025 and October 2025), carried out at 26 and 19 points, respectively, selected based on traffic intensity and population vulnerability criteria (schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and the food market). Measurements targeted PM2.5, PM10, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and formaldehyde (HCHO), as well as carbon dioxide (CO2), correlated with road traffic intensity. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the two seasons for PM2.5, PM10, and CO2 (p < 0.01), as well as a strong correlation between particulate matter concentrations and vehicle counts (r = 0.60–0.95), consistent with road traffic being an important local contributor to particulate matter, though correlation alone cannot establish source dominance in a strict causal sense. A multiple regression controlling for both traffic and season explained over 73% of the variance in PM2.5 and PM10 and showed that traffic and season each contribute independently to particulate levels. Both mean PM2.5 and PM10 exceeded WHO and EU limit values in both campaigns, and the low-cost sensor over-read absolute concentrations by roughly 2–4× relative to the official monitoring network, so absolute values should be treated as orientative. Despite this bias, the consistent spatial and seasonal patterns show that portable low-cost sensors can reliably rank exposure hotspots and support the targeting of traffic-mitigation measures, such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, in medium-sized cities that lack dense reference monitoring networks.
A. Rusu, Simona Elena Avram, T. Rusu· Atmosphere· 0 citations
This study presents the first integrated multi-compartment assessment linking soil heavy- metal contamination and satellite-derived tropospheric air pollution in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Six metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) were measured in 295 agricultural topsoils using DTPA extraction—which targets the labile, bioavailable pool most relevant to food-chain transfer in calcareous soils—and were compared with Sentinel-5P TROPOMI vertical columns of SO2, NO2 and HCHO extracted at point, 1000 m and 5000 m scales. Chromium was the dominant element, and composite pollution indices indicated overall good but transitional soil quality, with a majority of sites at warning level. Principal component analysis, spatial autocorrelation and land-use analysis converged on three plausible source groupings—predominantly geogenic (Cr, Ni), localized anthropogenic (Cd, Pb) and agricultural (Cu)—although, in the absence of isotopic or other direct source tracing, these assignments remain indicative rather than confirmed. Soil metals and atmospheric columns were largely uncorrelated (|r| < 0.3 for 17 of 18 pairs); this decoupling is consistent with the contrasting temporal integration and spatial support of the two compartments rather than with a single shared pathway. Multi-scale analysis supported a parsimonious dual-scale (point + 5000 m) sampling framework. The study offers a transferable assessment framework for other Mediterranean regions and underscores the need for locally calibrated, total-metal soil background values. Because these indices and threshold comparisons are computed from DTPA-extractable concentrations, they serve here as one-directional, bioavailability-based screening tools rather than regulatory determinations: an exceedance conservatively flags a site for confirmatory total-metal analysis, whereas a non-exceedance does not establish compliance.
Marie Therese Abi Saab, Elie Saliba, S. Fahed et al.· Applied Sciences· 0 citations
The rapid expansion of rice processing mills in agriculturally rich regions, such as Khajanagar, Kushtia, has resulted in elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM), posing serious environmental and public health risks. The close proximity of rice mills to residential areas necessitates evaluating particulate matter dispersion to assess neighbourhood-level health risks. This study examines the spatial distribution, dispersion behaviour, and health impacts of PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ across industrial and adjacent residential zones. A total of 69 sampling points were monitored using optical particle counters (OPCs) at 0–100 m (industrial) and 101–300 m (residential) distances, along with meteorological observations. PM₂.₅ concentrations in industrial areas exceeded all regulatory limits in Bangladesh, the WHO, and the U.S. EPA, while PM₁₀ exceeded WHO standards only within industrial zones; both fractions exceeded all benchmarks in residential areas. The Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05) confirmed significant interzonal variation. Spatial mapping identified PM hotspots in the western and eastern industrial belts and the western residential cluster, providing empirical evidence of localized emission intensity and downwind accumulation driven by mill density and prevailing wind patterns. PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ were highly correlated, though their relationships with humidity and temperature were weak. Gaussian plume modelling indicated that PM₁₀ dispersed and deposited over greater distances than PM₂.₅ due to its size-dependent transport under prevailing winds, increasing exposure in residential zones. AirQ⁺ health risk analysis revealed that PM₂.₅ exposure contributed to 39.78% of ALRI-related mortality in children under five, while in adults (≥ 30 years), it accounted for 48.01% of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 56.25% of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), and 65.05% of stroke deaths. PM₁₀ posed additional risks for IHD and lung cancer, with 34.16% of lung cancer mortality linked to PM₂.₅ exposure. By integrating spatial monitoring, dispersion modelling, and health risk assessment, this study identifies high-risk micro-environments and underscores the need for stricter emission control in rice-processing regions.
Rubaiatul Islam Zerin, M. Hossain, Humaira Rashid et al.· Environmental science and po...· 0 citations
Emissions from urban traffic are the primary sources of particulate matter in metropolitan areas, contributing to environmental and human health issues. To identify sources and evaluate emission factors for PM2.5 and PM10 from vehicles, tunnel measurements were conducted in two seasons at the Niayesh Tunnel in Tehran. Sampling was performed using high-volume air samplers and PMS5003 low-cost sensors at tunnel entrance and exit. Results show that PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were higher in the cold months. The chemical profile indicated that traffic-related metals were present at high concentrations. Specifically, in PM2.5, the incremental concentrations (μg/m3) of Al (3.2 ± 2), Fe (4.1 ± 0.6), Ca (2.3 ± 0.5), Zn (3.4 ± 0.7), B (4.6 ± 3), and Ba (4.2 ± 2) were measured. Furthermore, in PM10, the corresponding concentrations (μg/m3) were Al (3.9 ± 0.6), Fe (6.7 ± 0.9), Ca (2.5 ± 1.3), Zn (3.06 ± 1.06), B (6.5 ± 3.4), and Ba (5.6 ± 2.4). To determine source contributions, PMF was applied to particle number-size distribution, and the associated volumetric contributions were subsequently estimated. Vehicle exhaust was the dominant contributor to PM2.5 concentration, followed by non-exhaust-related emissions and road dust resuspension. In contrast, PM10 was primarily influenced by non-exhaust emissions, particularly resuspended road dust. Results indicated that the EF for PM2.5 and PM10 were significantly higher during the warm days (26 ± 7.7 for PM2.5, 40.4 ± 9.7 for PM10) than during the cold days (12.9 ± 1.3 for PM2.5 and 16 ± 1.14 for PM10). These findings highlight that seasonal variations in EFs are likely driven by resuspended road dust and PM concentration differences, although other factors may also contribute to the observed seasonal variability. Accordingly, the significant contribution of non-exhaust sources to PM emissions underscores the need to account for them in air pollution management strategies.
Enclosed transport environments are becoming an integral part of compact urban structures; however, their air quality is monitored less systematically than that of the outdoor urban environment. This study evaluates particulate matter concentrations (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) in two urban microenvironments in Banská Bystrica (Slovakia): an underground parking garage (representing private urban mobility) and an underground bus station (representing public transport). Continuous measurements using an enviDUST monitoring device were analysed in relation to occupancy rates and transport intensity. The results showed a dominance of the PM10 fraction in both environments, suggesting the importance of non-exhaust sources and dust resuspension in enclosed urban transport spaces. In the parking facility, the immediate relationship between occupancy and PM concentrations was weak; however, a time lag effect was observed, indicating particle accumulation. The bus station exhibited higher average concentrations (PM1: 8.67; PM2.5: 14.12; PM10: 34.12 µg/m3), while peak levels during nighttime highlighted the critical role of air stagnation and ventilation regimes. The study emphasizes the need to perceive such transport nodes as semi-public urban spaces requiring the integration of intelligent air quality management within sustainable urban development.
M. Loman, Veronika Harantová, Saša Milojević· Urban Science· 0 citations
The disease burden associated with air pollution is now comparable to that of other major global health threats, including poor nutrition and tobacco use. This study employed the gravitational settling method to collect airborne particles in selected Nigerian cities. The cities include; Benin, Kano, Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, and Calabar. Airborne particles were allowed to settle naturally into containers fitted with funnels and placed outdoors at various sub-locations within each State. Sampling was conducted over a nine-month period from January to September 2023. The collected sediments were analyzed spectroscopically using a UV Visible (UV-VIS) Spectrophotometer CE 1101 to determine concentrations of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and manganese (Mn). Results revealed that hazard quotient (HQ) values for all analyzed metals exceeded the recommended safe limit of 1 across all locations. In Benin City, nickel and lead recorded HQ values of 5.5 and 4.0, respectively. Enugu showed particularly elevated levels, with manganese (Mn) at HQ 16 and lead (Pb) at HQ 5, attributed to industrialization and vehicular activities. In Kano, HQ values for lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) were 8.0 and 4.9, respectively. Abuja recorded HQ values of 6.0 for lead (Pb) and 4.9 for nickel (Ni), likely linked to recycling and agricultural activities. Lagos and Calabar also exhibited elevated HQ values, particularly for lead and nickel. Elevated exposure to these toxic elements can pose potential health risks, including neurological, respiratory, and allergic effects, to exposed populations.
Azogor, W. E., Ekah, B. J., Etim, O. E.· Global Journal of Pure and A...· 0 citations