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Air pollution is considered the world’s most important environmental and public health risk. The annual exposure for particulate matter (PM) in the northern Caribbean region of Colombia between 2011 and 2019 was determined using PM records from 25 monitoring stations located within the area. The impact of exposure to particulate matter was assessed through the updated Global Burden of Disease health risk functions using the AirQ+ model for mortality attributable to acute lower respiratory disease (in children ≤ 4 years); mortality in adults aged > 18 years old attributable to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke; and all-cause post-neonatal infant mortality. The proportions of the prevalence of bronchitis in children and the incidence of chronic bronchitis in adults attributable to PM exposure were also estimated for the population at risk. Weather Research and Forecasting-California PUFF (WRF-CALPUFF) modeling systems were used to estimate the spatiotemporal trends and calculate mortality relative risk due to prolonged PM2.5 exposure. Proportions of mortality attributable to long-term exposure to PM2.5 were estimated to be around 11.6% of ALRI deaths in children ≤ 4 years of age, 16.1% for COPD, and 26.6% for IHD in adults. For LC and stroke, annual proportions attributable to PM exposure were estimated to be 9.1% and 18.9%, respectively. An estimated 738 deaths per year are directly attributed to particulate matter pollution. The highest number of deaths per year is recorded in the adult population over 18 years old with a mean of 401 events. The mean risk in terms of the prevalence of bronchitis attributable to air pollution in children was determined to be 109 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. The maximum RR values for mortality (up 1.95%) from long-term PM2.5 exposure were predicted to correspond to regions downwind to the industrial zone.

Variations in the carbonaceous aerosol contents, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), in particulate matter less than 10 μm in size (PM

The restriction of mobility due to preventive social isolation has improved air quality in many regions of the world. At the same time, global and regional atmospheric phenomena such as dust or biomass burning transport from Sahara can exacerbate particulate matter (PM) mass. In this study, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were evaluated in an industrial and urban area during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 in northern Colombia. Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) observations obtained from the spaceborne MODIS (MOD04-3k) and the active fire data was obtained from VIIRS Active Fire. We measured surface contamination at several stations to quantify the PM10 and PM2.5 changes associated with the general closure of anthropogenic and industrial activities driven by COVID-19 and by the macroscale and/or mesoscale contributions. In the industrial zone, a slight decrease in daily concentrations was detected at the stations located near the mining operations. In the urban area, the decrease is more salient in COVID-19 lockdown. No visible impact on the daily levels of PM10 and PM2.5 was observed. The biomass burning episode has contributed 52% to the daily average of PM10 and 45% to the daily average of PM2.5. The episode due to the passage of Saharan dust through the Caribbean Sea has contributed 79% to the daily average of PM10 (150.75 μg/m3) and on 57% to the daily average of PM2.5.

This study conducted meteorological simulations in northern Colombia by analyzing different planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes available in the numerical Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The study area included three nested domains with horizontal resolutions of 18 km, 6 km, and 2 km, with 38 vertical levels. The evolution and structure of the PBL were analyzed during the driest months (March, April, and May 2016) and in regions with the highest particulate matter concentrations. Sensitivity analysis of the WRF model was performed with two local and two non-local PBL schemes. The results were validated using observations of the surface air temperature, relative humidity, and surface wind speed collected from three meteorological stations in the area. The PBL heights were experimentally determined using radiosonde data provided by a station located in the center of the study area. Variations in PBL heights were estimated using linear regression methods and minimization of statistical errors for the bulk Richardson number, as well as analysis of vertical temperature and wind profiles. The WRF model reliably reproduced the daily values and diurnal cycles of temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed within the PBL and accounted for the influence of topography and sea breezes. Horizontal heat advection dominates the upwelling of air masses when sea breezes are active. The onshore wind direction starts to change from east to northwest, implying a decay in the land breeze regime. All schemes overestimate the mixing height and tend to underestimate surface air temperature values at night. All show wetter conditions and underestimate wind speed. Although the non-local Yonsei University (YSU) scheme shows the best performance, it also shows the largest sources of errors when determining the behavior of the surface layer during stable conditions. Relative humidity and wind speed estimates provided by the local Mellor‐Yamada‐Nakanishi‐Niino (MYNN) scheme were closer to those recorded at the meteorological stations.

espanolEn este estudio, las concentraciones de aerosoles marinos estimadas con el modelo CALPUFF (modelo de dispersion multi-capas, multi-especies, en estado no estacionario) se compararon con las concentraciones de PM10 monitoreadas cerca a la costa con equipo gravimetrico de bajo volumen. Se encontro que la contribucion de los aerosoles marinos a la masa de PM10 puede ser significativa, alcanzando entre el 20% y 27%. Concentraciones entre 5 y 15 (g/m3 fueron estimadas en calles que estan a menos de 100 metros de la playa. Las concentraciones maximas se encontraron en el punto de muestreo ubicado mar adentro. La correlacion fue fuerte y positiva en este mismo punto (r2 = 0,65). En el analisis de dispersion, el impacto de los aerosoles marinos se observo a mas de 20 km de la playa en direccion del viento, con niveles entre 1,65 (g/m3 y 15,02 (g/m3. En el monitoreo con los equipos gravimetricos, se obtuvo una concentracion maxima de PM10 de 77,98 (g/m3 y una concentracion minima de 2,82 (g/m3. Los resultados demuestran que CALPUFF proporciona predicciones razonablemente precisas de los patrones de deposicion de contaminantes marinos a largo plazo EnglishIn this study, the concentrations of marine aerosols estimated with the model CALPUFF (a multi-layer, multi-species, non-steady-state puff dispersion) were compared with the concentrations of PM10 monitored near the coast with minimum volume gravimetric equipment. It was found that the contribution of marine aerosols to the mass of PM10 can be significant, reaching between 20% and 27%. Concentrations between 5 and 15 (g/m3 were estimated on streets that are less than 100 meters from the beach. The maximum concentrations were found at the sampling point located offshore. The correlation was strong and positive at this same point (r2 = 0.65). In the dispersion analysis, the impact of marine aerosols was observed more than 20 km from the beach in the direction of the wind, with levels between 1.65 (g/m3 y 15.02 (g/m3. In the monitoring with the gravimetric equipment, a maximum concentration of PM10 of 77.98 (g/m3 and a minimum concentration of 2.82 (g/m3 was obtained. The results show that CALPUFF provides reasonable predictions of long-term marine pollutant deposition patterns.

Particulate matter (PM) is the main pollutant produced by open-pit mining operations, and its emission into the atmosphere is strongly associated with adverse health effects in the surrounding communities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19-related lockdown on the PM concentrations in the North, Central, and South Zones of Cerrejon, Colombia, the largest open-pit coal mine in Latin America. To compare the levels before and during the emergency shutdown, we analyzed both the ground-based daily PM10 and PM2.5 data and the satellite (Terra/Aqua MODIS)-based daily aerosol optical depth (AOD) values from March 6 through April 13, 2020. The average PM10 concentrations in the North and South Zones, in contrast to those observed at other global monitoring sites, increased by 13–38% and 4–7%, respectively, although they decreased by 26–31% in the Central Zone, between the pre-lockdown and lockdown periods. Furthermore, during the latter, the daily PM2.5 levels in the South Zone rose by up to 43%, and we found higher AOD values (≥ 0.4) over the Central and South Zones as well as significant AOD-contributing loads upwind and downwind of the coal production pits. Finally, the increases in humidity and temperature (≥ 3.5% and ≥ 0.3 K, respectively), decrease in planetary boundary layer height (≥ 0.11 km), wind field variability, and rural biomass burning events shaped the spatial-temporal behavior of the PM in this region, and changes in meteorology and external sources nearly offset the reduction in emissions from mining activities. These results establish a baseline for developing future regulations and mitigation plans.

Resumen Se evalúa el rendimiento del modelo CALPUFF para estimar concentraciones ambientales de PM10 ocasionada por las emisiones de una cantera ubicada en un terreno montañoso en el norte de Colombia. Se simularon las dispersiones del contaminante para un dominio de 22 km x 18 km con resolución aproximada de 100 metros para incluir las características geofísicas del área de estudio. Las predicciones de las concentraciones promedio de PM10 desde las fuentes hasta los receptores fueron 17.50 µg/m3 (a < 1km), 4.06 µg/m3 (a < 2km), 2.16 µg/m3 (a < 3km) y 0.82 µg/m3 (a < 6km). Aunque subestimo las concentraciones en receptores, el modelo mostró un rendimiento satisfactorio y con criterios de aceptación enmarcados dentro de los indicadores estadísticos utilizados para evaluación de modelos ambientales. A diferencia de otros estudios donde se evaluó la utilidad del CALPUFF en fuentes similares, el modelo mostro una capacidad aceptable para estimar las concentraciones PM10 en terrenos complejos debido a la utilización de datos de estaciones meteorológicas cercanas a las fuentes, exactitud en el inventario de emisiones en función de espacio-tiempo, ubicación de receptores para validación y mayor resolución de la zona de dominio del modelado que no fueron contempladas en investigaciones anteriores.

Intake fraction was determined in this study to provide insight into population exposures to PM10 that is effectively inhaled due to emissions of an opencast coal mine. We applied the CALPUFF model to a coal mine in Northern Colombia, which has 6 active pits with an annual production of 33.7 million tons. We estimated the intake fractions for 7 towns through the integration of dispersion model results over the population data. The resulting average intake fractions were between 6.13 × 10−9 and 3.66 × 10−8 for PM10. 62.4% of the intake fractions in the domain were calculated within a 23 km radius from the coal mine and coved 44.3% of the total population in this area. We calculated an estimate point for morbidity impacts using standard epidemiological assumptions. It is estimated that there were annually 105835 restricted activity days and 336832 respiratory symptom cases due to the direct impact of the opencast coal mining. These data also provide a framework for improved understanding of the effect of coal mining in Colombia.

RESUMEN: Este estudio presenta el análisis de la emisión, dispersión y concentración de PM10, CO, NO2, COV y HAP (contaminantes peligroso del aire), emitida desde una estación modular de compresión, tratamiento y medición de gas natural, ubicada en la península de La Guajira al norte de Colombia. Se aplicó el modelo de dispersión Gaussiana WKBK2 para fuentes puntuales para estimar las concentraciones de los contaminantes. Las emisiones de los contaminantes se estimaron utilizando los factores de emisiones de la Agencia Ambiental de los Estados Unidos USEPA. La aplicación del modelo fue validado con PM10 y NO2 medido en un sitio cerca de la planta industrial. Las máximas concentraciones ocurren entre 100 a 200 metros de la fuente. Las concentraciones máxima estimadas de PM10 estaría violando el estándar anual de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. En las cuatro comunidades indígenas ubicadas en la zona, se estimaron niveles menores a los establecidos en la norma Colombiana. ABSTRACT: This study presents the analysis of the emission, dispersion, and concentration of PM10, CO, NO2, COV y HAP (Hazardous Air Pollutants), emitted from a modular station of compression, processing and measurement of natural gas located on the peninsula of La Guajira in northern Colombia. To estimate the concentrations of pollutants was applied Gaussian dispersion WKBK2 model for point source. Emissions of the pollutants are estimated using the US Environmental Agency emission factor. The application of the model was validated with PM10 and NO2 measured at a site near the Industrial Plant. The maximum concentration occurs between 100 to 200 meters from the source. The maximum concentrations of PM10 exceeded the World Health Organization guideline value of 20 g/m3. In four indigenous communities located in the area, the levels were lower than those established in the Colombian norm.

This analysis seeks to evaluate the impacts of an open-pit coal mine located in the north of Colombia. It was used as the main tool CALPUFF, model Lagrangian, to determine the dispersion and transport of PM10 due to the emissions of the mining activities. The model was calibrated and validated with the environmental concentrations data of PM10 in 5 receivers. It was determined the contributions above of 45 km distances from sources. We use the concept of intake fraction, which is defined as the fraction of material or its precursor released from a source that finally is inhaled or ingested by a population. The results of the model show that the PM10 can be transported over long distances. to 50 km from the industrial zone of the mine, the average contribution of emissions of the mine can reach 9.12 μg/m3 and to 60 km contributions of 6.13 μg/m3. The modelling estimates that simulations of domain extending about 45 km from the source would only capture on average 54.83% of the total population intake fractions of PM10, and less for many geographic settings. The results show that the emission of PM10 is a problem of pollution on a regional scale. This analysis can serve as input to the competent authorities for better environmental management.

RESUMEN: Se determinaron las contribuciones de PM10 en al medio ambiente en una zona industrial minera en el norte de Colombia por actividades implicadas en el almacenamiento de 3.2 Mton carbón. Se utilizó como principal herramienta el software CALPUFF para determinar el aporte de PM10 durante 10 días de modelado durante un mes. Se midieron las concentraciones ambientales de PM10 en 5 receptores. Aunque las mayores emisiones se producen en horas diurnas, caracterizada por altos valores en la velocidad del viento y mayor insolación, la mayor receptividad de PM10 en las estaciones de mediciones se produce en horas nocturnas por la disminución de la altura de mezcla. Los resultados de la modelación muestran que las actividades implicadas en el almacenamiento de carbón pueden aportar un 14.5% de las concentraciones ambientales diarias en receptores ubicados a 16.2 km viento abajo de la fuente. ABSTRACT: The contributions of PM10 to the environment were determined in a mining industrial zone in northern Colombia for activities involved in storing 3.2 Mton of coal. As the main modeling tool the software CALPUFF was used to determine the contribution of PM10 for 10 days modeling during a month period. Ambient concentrations of PM10 in five receivers were measured. Although higher emissions occur during daytime, characterized by high values of wind speed and higher solar radiation, the greater receptivity of PM10 measurements stations occurred during night hours due to the decreasing the mixing height. The modeling results show that the activities involved in carbon storage can provide 14.5% of daily ambient concentrations at receptors located 16.2 km downwind from the source.

Fugitive material has been identified as the main source of air pollution, especially total suspended particulate (TSP) and particulate matter less than 10 micrometers (PM10) in open pit mining. The aim of this research was to estimate the concentration of PM10 and measure the impact of coal piles on nearby populations. The sources under consideration are three different areas for coal storing. All three areas are distributed along the mine with 14 piles with a total capacity of 3.2 Mton. Emissions were estimated and the contribution of PM10 for the activities of loading, unloading, hauling coal, tractor operations and wind disturbances on the surface of the coal piles using the emission factors suggested by EPA. The contribution to environmental receptors was determined with the dispersion model CALPUFF. Although higher emissions occur in solar hours, characterised by high values of wind speed and higher insolation, the greater receptivity PM10 measurements stations occur during the night hours by decreasing the mixing height. The model show that the activities involved in coal storage can provide 14.5% of daily environmental concentrations in receptors located 16.2 km downwind of the source, which showed that CALPUFF can be used for complex terrain and short distance from the source of emission.