Search

Diffusive sampling can be adopted to analyse in detail the temporal and spatial trends of pollutants concentration in specific historic buildings or in museums. An application of this method is discussed in this paper and the results of a still ongoing monitoring campaign at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, in the framework of an EU-founded Project (MIMIC), are presented. Distinct trends in the concentration of NO2, NOx, HONO, HNO3, O3 and SO2 have been observed in eight successive sampling periods from March 2001 to February 2002. Considerations are given on possible implications for the conservation of indoor artworks.

Atmospheric nitrogen compounds play a critical role in tropospheric photochemistry and are crucial to understand the chemical and physical evolution of atmospheric pollutants in polar areas. Measurements of these species in remote areas are rare, although their relevance is well established. Sampling campaigns of gaseous and particulate atmospheric trace species were performed in Arctic and in Antarctica during three consecutive years (1997-1999), using a proper combination of annular denuders and filter pack. After sampling, the ionic species were extracted with aqueous solutions and analysed by means of ion chromatography. Quality assurance on the sampling and analytical steps allowed accurate and precise measurements of all relevant compounds, which are thought to be important to nitrogen chemistry, at very low concentration levels. In addition, the measurements also included a multistage low-pressure impactor for the collection of particulate matter in different size regions (0.035-15.9 mm). Results obtained from these campaigns demonstrate that the minor components may be measured at levels as low as a few nanograms per cubic meter. The reported concentrations are to be considered among the first observations of nitrogen containing compounds in polar sites.

When considering the various possibilities to assess the effects of SO2 and NO2 on historic buildings and monuments, a distinction can be made according to the completeness of the scope of the assessment itself. A first approach can be limited to gathering data as they become available through the official bodies established under air quality legislation. This approach is based on a single point measurement where a "general purpose" monitoring station is located, often quite far from the monument to protect and often without investigating local and temporal variations. A more comprehensive assessment should include a generalisation that covers the territory. This can be made on the basis of the knowledge of the spatial distribution of concentrations and the knowledge of the causes of air pollution. Passive samplers allow the measurement of air quality in numerous sites and to assess the pollutant spatial distribution over a large area with a high resolution. As an application of the method, the spatial distribution of SO2 and NO2 in the city of Siracusa, Sicily, Italy, has been studied to identify areas of high deposition fluxes in relation to the protection of buildings and monuments of the historic centre.

A simple, cost-effective diffusive sampler is described that is suitable for measuring parts per billion (ppb) levels of ozone and nitrogen oxides. The diffusive sampler makes use of nitrite for ozone determination whereas for nitrogen oxides and nitrogen dioxide an active carbon tissue impregnated with sodium carbonate is used. Nitrate and nitrite, the formation of which is proportional to the pollutant concentration and sampling duration, are the two species analysed, respectively. Diffusion tubes have the advantage of being a low- cost, convenient way of mapping spatial distributions and investigating long-term trends of ozone and nitrogen oxides. The method is extremely useful for assessing long-term concentrations such as the annual mean for nitrogen oxides, as required by the Daughter Directive 1999/30/EC. Field tests to validate the method have been carried out at an urban background location with co-located passive samplers and continuous measurements of O3 and NOx. An application in ecological effects monitoring for ozone is also presented.