Air particulate emissions in developing countries: A case study in South Africa

Anna Worobiec, Sanja S. Potgieter-Vermaak, Patrick Berghmans, Hartmut Winkler, Roelof Burger, Rene V. Grieken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Atmospheric aerosols were collected during the winter in Bethlehem, South Africa. The particulate mass concentrations, ambient carbon mass concentrations, and chemical composition of various particulate fractions showed that the area is highly polluted. The fine particle mass concentrations peaked at 1000 lg/m 3 for PM 2.5. Ambient carbon mass concentrations ranged from 20 to 40 lg/m 3. Single particle analysis confirmed that the fine particle fraction was dominated by organic particles. The topographical conditions, causing a low inversion, together with the high amounts of emissions from biomass burning, result in unacceptable levels of air pollution and pose a considerable health threat to the population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1907-1924
Number of pages18
JournalAnalytical Letters
Volume44
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2011

Keywords

  • Aerosols
  • Air pollution
  • EPMA
  • PM mass concentration
  • Particulate carbon monitoring

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Spectroscopy
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry (medical)
  • Electrochemistry

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