Search

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through projects PID2020-120015RB-100, CGL201681092-R, and CGL2017-90884-REDT, by the Andalusia Regional Government through project P18-RT-3820 and P20-00136, by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program through project ACTRIS-2 (grant agreement No 654109). This research was partially supported by Project RTI2018.101154.A.I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER "Una manera de hacer Europa". The authors thank the Parque de la Ciencias for making this research possible. Juan Andr ' es Casquero-Vera is supported by BES-2017-080015 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FSE "El FSE invierte en tu futuro". Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBUA., Although cities are an important source of aerosol particles, aerosol number flux measurements over urban areas are scarce. These measurements are however important as they can allow us to identify the different sources/sinks of aerosol particles and quantify their emission contributions. Therefore, they can help us to understand the aerosol impacts on human health and climate, and to design effective mitigation strategies through the reduction of urban aerosol emissions. In this work we analyze the aerosol number concentrations and fluxes for particles with diameters larger than 2.5 nm measured by eddy covariance technique at an urban area (Granada city, Spain) from November 2016 to April 2018. This is the first study of particle number flux in an urban area in the Iberian Peninsula and is one of the few current studies that report long-term aerosol number flux measurements. The results suggest that, on average, Granada urban area acted as a net source for atmospheric aerosol particles with median particle number flux of 150 x 10(6) m(-2) s(-1). Downward negative fluxes were observed in only 12% of the analyzed data, and most of them were observed during high aerosol load conditions. Both aerosol number fluxes and concentrations were maximum in winter and 50% larger than those measured in summer due to the increased emissions from domestic heating, burning of residual agricultural waste in the agricultural area surrounding the site, as well as to the lower aerosol dilution effects during winter. The analysis of the seasonal diurnal variability of the aerosol number concentration revealed the significant impact of traffic emissions on aerosol population over Granada urban area in all seasons. It also shows the impact of domestic heating and agricultural waste burning emissions in winter as well as the influence of new particle formation processes in summer and spring seasons. Closer analysis by wind sector demonstrated that both aerosol concentrations and fluxes from urban sector (where high density of anthropogenic sources is located) were lower than those from rural sector (which includes agricultural area but also the main highway of the city). This evidences the strong impact of aerosol emissions from traffic circulating on the highway on aerosol population over our measurement site., Spanish Government PID2020-120015RB-100 CGL201681092-R CGL2017-90884-REDT, Andalusia Regional Government P18-RT-3820 P20-00136, European Commission 654109, MCIN/AEI/FEDER "Una manera de hacer Europa" RTI2018.101154.A.I00, FSE "El FSE invierte en tu futuro", Universidad de Granada/CBUA MCIN/AEI BES-2017-080015

Fast time-gated single-photon detectors demonstrated high depth sensitivity in the detection of localized absorption perturbations inside scattering media, but their use for in vivo clinical applications-such as functional imaging of brain activation-was impaired by their small (0.04

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is one of the main causes of concern for adverse effects of pollution on human health. This because it has a very heterogeneous chemical and morphological composition and it is involved in different mechanisms of toxicity, several of them are not yet fully understood. Recent studies show that some of the negative health effects can be linked to the oxidative potential (OP) of PM which leads to high concentrations of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) capable of causing oxidative stress at the cellular level. Several studies have been focused on the evaluation of the contribution of specific aerosol sources to OP, however, long-term studies are very scarce in Italy. In this work, seasonal variability of OP is analysed focusing on the role of aerosol sources and correlation with chemical composition of PM.

Campioni di particolato atmosferico in dodici diverse classi dimensionali sono stati raccolti nel periodo agosto-novembre 2018 a Sacca Fisola (Venezia), utilizzando un impattore multistadio MOUDI 110. Dopo la pesata, ciascun filtro è stato suddiviso in porzioni, che sono state trattate ed analizzate separatamente. Gli ioni maggiori ed alcuni acidi carbossilici sono stati analizzati in IC- MS dopo estrazione con ultrasuoni in acqua ultrapura; per l'analisi dei metalli le porzioni di filtro sono state digerite in microonde ed analizzate in ICP-MS; la frazione di carbonio organico ed elementare è state quantificata con metodo termo-ottico usando un Sunset analyser. Dalle analisi effettuate sono state ottenute le distribuzioni dimensionali sia della concentrazione di particolato che di tutte le specie selezionate. Il confronto tra le distribuzioni dimensionali, il calcolo di coefficienti diagnostici e l'applicazione di specifiche equazioni ha permesso di effettuare delle valutazioni sulle sorgenti presenti nella zona ed in particolare sull'impatto delle sorgenti nelle diverse classi dimensionali. E' stato infine applicato il modello a recettore Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF5) per ottenere informazioni sui contributi size-resolved delle sorgenti.

Oxidative potential (OP) of ambient particulate matter (PM) is a measure of the ability of PM to produces remarkable concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that could lead to oxidative stress in humans. Therefore, OP is a possible measure of PM biological reactivity. When the amount of ROS exceeds the neutralizing capacity of antioxidant compounds, other cellular components can be involved in the oxidation process, which finally could result in health issues. Indeed, the harmful process can be activated, although human body is capable of react to ROS, in case defence mechanisms are debilitated by diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal trends of OP measured in two size fractions and how this is influenced by carbon content. Daily (November 2016-November 2017) PM2.5 and PM10 samples were simultaneously collected, on quartz substrates, using a dual channel low-volume (2.3 m3 /h) sampler (SWAM, Fai Instruments). Sampling was carried out at the Environmental-Climate Observatory of Lecce (Italy), a regional station being part of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW-WMO) network (Fig. 1). It is basically an urban background station, being placed at 4 km from the town of Lecce and between 30 km and 80 km from large industrial sites of Brindisi and Taranto (Cesari et al., 2017). Roughly one sample every three was selected for carbon content analysis and OP determination

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), combined with time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy (TRS) or frequency domain spectroscopy, aims at path length (i.e. depth) resolved, non-invasive and simultaneous assessment of tissue composition and blood flow. However, while TRS provides a path length resolved data, the standard DCS does not. Recently, a time domain DCS experiment showed path length resolved measurements for improved quantification with respect to classical DCS, but was limited to phantoms and small animal studies. Here, we demonstrate time domain DCS for in vivo studies on the adult forehead and the arm. We achieve path length resolved DCS by means of an actively mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser that allows high coherence pulses, thus enabling adequate signal-to-noise ratio in relatively fast (~1 s) temporal resolution. This work paves the way to the translation of this approach to practical in vivo use.

Comparison of fine and coarse fractions in terms of sources and dynamics is scarce in southeast Mediterranean countries; differences are relevant because of the importance of natural sources like sea spray and Saharan dust advection, because most of the monitoring networks are limited to PM

Il particolato atmosferico (PM) è un inquinante noto per i suoi effetti negativi sia sull'ambiente che sulla salute umana a causa di esposizione in ambienti indoor e di esposizione outdoor, ed è pertanto oggetto di numerosi studi scientifici. Seppure gli effetti tossici del PM siano stati correlati ad alcune sue proprietà chimico-fisiche, i meccanismi di tossicità non sono ancora del tutto noti. Numerosi studi hanno suggerito che alcuni effetti negativi sulla salute sono riconducibili al potenziale ossidativo (OP) del particolato, che porta ad elevate concentrazioni di Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), specie chimiche in grado di provocare danni a livello cellulare. Per questo motivo, nella comunità scientifica internazionale, il potenziale ossidativo (OP) del particolato atmosferico è considerato come un potenziale indicatore di rischio per la salute umana. Il contributo al potenziale ossidativo di sorgenti antropogeniche specifiche, come il traffico stradale, la combustione di biomasse e le emissioni industriali, è stato studiato in diversi siti di misura. Tuttavia, le informazioni relative al OP di sorgenti naturali sono scarse e non sono, ad esempio, disponibili dati relativi all'influenza del trasporto transfrontaliero di polveri del Sahara (Saharan Dust Outbreak, SDO) al potenziale ossidativo. Pertanto, è stato condotto uno studio sul potenziale ossidativo di due frazioni dimensionali (PM2.5 e PM10) del particolato atmosferico raccolto presso l'Osservatorio Climatico-Ambientale di ISAC-CNR di Lecce, stazione regionale della Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW).

Nel corso del primo anno dopo il termine del progetto, anche grazie a questo potenziamento, gli Istituti hanno promosso o partecipato a 19 PROGETTI, di cui 13 IN AMBITO INTERNAZIONALE E 6 IN AMBITO NAZIONALE. Grazie quindi a I-AMICA le infrastrutture CNR sono divenute attrattori di iniziative e progetti internazionali e nazionali e questo ha permesso di acquisire un finanziamento complessivo pari a 2.228.698 EUR. Nel corso del medesimo periodo sono state strette 30 COLLABORAZIONI DI CUI 22 CON ENTI O STRUTTURE PUBBLICHE O PRIVATE IN AMBITO REGIONALE E NAZIONALE. Le 8 COLLABORAZIONI IN AMBITO INTERNAZIONALE sono per lo più rivolte alla partecipazione a programmi o reti di osservazione internazionali. Nel periodo considerato sono stati pubblicati dagli Istituti complessivamente 26 ARTICOLI DI DIVULGAZIONE SCIENTIFICA A LIVELLO INTERNAZIONALE e presentati risultati ed attività in 33 WORKSHOP A LIVELLO INTENZIONALE E NAZIONALE.

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy allows the measurement of absorption peaks, due to vibrational transitions of individual chemical bonds, leading to the identification and quantification of main functional groups in a complex system. A number of investigations reporting the FTIR spectra of airborne aerosol samples have appeared in the last years (Coury and Dillner, 2009). In the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode, the sample is placed directly on a transparent crystal with a high refractive index, through which the IR beam is passed. The spectrum is then measured detecting the attenuation of the light reflected within the crystal and delivered to the detector. The path length depends solely on the penetration depth of the evanescent wave beyond the interface; therefore, the technique is suitable for analysing thin solid films with high sensitivity and repeatability. In this work, we have employed the ATR-FTIR technique for analysing thin solid films of particulate matter (PM) components, extracted from filter-deposited aerosol material, by solubilisation in deionized water. The goal was the identification of functional groups, soluble in aqueous biological fluids, able to influence the toxicological potential of airborne particles, in order to elucidate the relationships between PM chemical characteristics and human health effects.

In this work an integrated methodology (emission inventories, modelling and experimental approach) was applied to investigate impact of shipping to atmospheric pollutants in four Adriatic/Ionian port-cities (Brindisi, Venice, Patras and Rijeka).

Nell'ambito del progetto PON I-AMICA (www.i-amica.it), è stato raccolto un dataset annuale (Luglio 2013-Luglio 2014) di PM2.5 e PM10 presso l'Osservatorio Climatico-Ambientale di Lecce (40°20'8''N-18°07'28''E, 37 m asl), stazione regionale della rete GAW-WMO (Global Atmosphere Watch), con lo scopo di analizzare i trends stagionali dei contributi delle diverse sorgenti antropiche e naturali alla frazione fine e coarse del particolato. Campioni giornalieri sono stati raccolti su filtri in quarzo utilizzando un campionatore automatico a raggi ? (Swam5A Dual Channel Monitor, FAI Instruments, 2.3 m3/h). La caratterizzazione chimica è stata eseguita su 226 campioni (113 per ogni frazione dimensionale) per la determinazione dei principali metalli via ICP-MS (Li, Al, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Nb, Cd, Sb, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Dy, Pb, Th), dei principali ioni solubili via IC (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, C2O42-, Ca2+, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+) e della componente carboniosa (EC e OC) mediante il metodo termo-ottico (rilevatore Sunset, protocollo NIOSH5040).

Summary: The authors report on the membrane alterations induced in vitro in dermatophytes and yeasts by the action of ciclopiroxolamine. The investigation was performed by means of the freeze-fracture technique and revealed modifications in particle distribution on the plasma membrane of both dermatophytes and Candida albicans; moreover, in the latter, the characteristic furrows observed on the P face showed a peculiar re-arrangement. The results were compared with those already known, obtained with other antimycotic drugs employing the same technique, and a correlation of the observed differences with the peculiar mode of action of this new antimycotic drug has been made. Zusammenfassung: Die Autoren berichten fiber die Wirkung von Ciclopiroxolamin bei in vitro an Dermatophyten und Hefen induzierten Membran-Veranderungen. Die Untersuchung wurde mit der Freeze-Fracture-Technik durchgefuhrt und zeigte Veranderungen in der Partikel-Verteilung auf der plasmatischen Membran sowohl der Dermatophyten als auch bei Candida albicans; daruber hinaus wiesen bei Candida albicans die charakteristischen Furchen, die sich auf der P-Flache befinden, eine besondere Neuanordnung auf. Diese Ergebnisse wurden mit den schon bekannten Erkenntnissen, die durch die gleiche Technik, jedoch mit anderen Antimykotika erzielt wurden, verguchen. Die gefundenen Unterschiede werden mit dem besonderen Wirkuhgsmechanismus dieses neuen Antimykotikums in Zusammenhang gebracht.

Optimisation of source profiles for applications to source apportionment of PM10

Harbours are important hubs for social and economic development of coastal Mediterranean areas. However, ship emissions are also a significant source of atmospheric pollution in port-cities with potential effects on both human health and climate. At European level (Viana et al., 2014), the impact of shipping to particulate matter (PM) concentrations is larger in Mediterranean area with respect to Northern Europe. Further, information on impact on ultrafine and nanoparticles is still fragmentary and not sufficient to have a global picture on this metric. International legislations to reduce ship emissions, both at Worldwide and European levels, are mainly based on the use of low-sulphur content fuel that is effective also in reducing primary impact of shipping to atmospheric aerosol (Contini et al., 2015). In the framework of POSEIDON project, a measurement campaign was performed between 27th June and 15th October 2014, in the harbour area of Brindisi (SE Italy, 40° 38? 43.32? N - 17° 57? 36.39? E). A mobile laboratory was used to investigate the contribution of ship traffic and harbour activities (hotelling, loading and unloading of ships) to gaseous pollutants and to concentrations of atmospheric particles of different sizes. The mobile laboratory was equipped to measure, at high temporal resolution, gaseous pollutants (NO2, NO, O3, SO2 at 5 minutes resolution), total particle number concentrations (Grimm CPC 5.403 at 1 minute resolution), particle size distribution in the range 0.25-34 µm using a Grimm OPC 1.109 (1 minute resolution) and further, a DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) remote-sensing system was employed for detection of NO2 and SO2 fluxes from ships in harbour (Premuda et al., 2011). Ship traffic details were collected from Brindisi Port Authority and arrival and departure times were synchronised with concentration measurements using a night & day video camera. A low-volume PM2.5 sequential sampler was used to collect 24-hour samples using the gravimetric method to calibrate optical measurements. Collected data allowed to individuate short-term concentration peaks associated with ship traffic and concentration increases associated with correlated harbour activities. An example is reported in Figure 1. Measurements show that SO2 presents brief concentration peaks associated with the manoeuvring phase and lower concentrations during the hotelling phase. This is compatible with the use of low-sulphur content fuel in European harbours (European Directive 2012/33/EC). Nitrogen oxides concentrations show a significant contribution, especially for NO, for both manoeuvring and hotelling, loading/unloading phases. Simultaneously, a depletion of O3 (not shown) was observed. Particle concentrations show a dynamics that is strongly depending on particle size. Ultrafine particles (diameter Dp1 µm) appears to be marginally influenced by the manouvering phase but it presents increases during the hotelling phase likely associated with the resuspension and mechanical generation of dust during the activities of loading/unloading of ships. Further, an analysis of the inter-annual trends of ship traffic and of its contribution to primary PM2.5 will be performed considering the results obtained in the same area in 2012 (Donateo et al., 2014).

Assessment of air quality impact of Brindisi harbour

Osservatorio Climatico-Ambientale di I-AMICA a Lecce: attività e prospettive di un centro d'eccellenza al servizio del territorio

In letteratura sono relativamente pochi gli studi di Source Apportionment (SA) caratterizzati da una dettagliata risoluzione granulometrica del particolato atmosferico [1, 2]. Obiettivo di questo lavoro è stato condurre uno studio di SA su campioni di aerosol raccolti in modalità size-segregated, utilizzando un impattore a 10 stadi (MOUDI II, 120R, intervallo dimensionale tra 0.056 μm e 10 μm), posizionato in un sito di fondo urbano a Lecce.

Source apportionment del PM10 in tre siti di misura nell'area di Civitavecchia

Validation and optimisation of the source apportionment method for l PM10 applied to measurement campaigns in the area of Civitavecchia

Source apportionment del PM10 in tre siti di misuralocalizzati in prossimità della Centrale Termoelettrica di Torrevaldaliga Nord

La relazione tra formazione di nuove particelle e parametri micrometeorologici e meteorologici è stata esaminata attraverso una campagna di misura nel Luglio 2010 in un sito di fondo urbano a Lecce. I dati mostrano frequenti eventi di picco nella concentrazione numerica di particelle che sono spesso associati ad eventi diurni (in condizione di intenso irraggiamento) di formazione e crescita di nanoparticelle. E' stato svolto uno studio per valutare l'influenza di tali eventi sulla distribuzione dimensionale delle particelle, sui diametri medi e mediani del particolato atmosferico, sul flusso turbolento verticale (che caratterizza lo scambio atmosfera-superficie) e sul gradiente verticale di concentrazione in prossimità del suolo.

Source apportionment del PM10 in diversi siti di misura nell'area di Civitavecchia

An extensive investigation between January 2007 and January 2008 of PM10 concentration and chemical composition has been carried out in an urban background site in Lecce (Apulia region, Italy). Particles were collected on filters (47 mm in diameter) for 24 h on 115 days randomly selected. The aim was to individuate the main sources of particles studying the PM10 chemical composition (trace metals and ionic species) and its correlation with local meteorology.