Abstract
The morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition of a variety of particles emitted from coal-fired power plants, steel plants, and vehicle exhausts, which are possible sources of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere, were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compared with particle samples collected from urban atmosphere to identify the best footprint or the suitable indicator relating the existence of studied particles and their possible emitters by the morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition of the particles. The investigation indicated that the particles from these three sources are different in morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition. Sphere aggregates were generally the most abundant components, with silicon and aluminum as major elements. The urban air particulate contained particles similar to those observed in the power plant, steel plant, and vehicle exhaust samples suggesting that all three sources are contributing to the pollution in the city.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akram, W., Li, X., Tan, M., Bao, L., Liu, J., Zhang, Y., Zhang, G., et al. (2011). Size distribution and sources of trace metals in ultrafine/fine/coarse airborne particles in the atmosphere of Shanghai. Aerosol Science and Technology, 45(2), 163–171.
Anette, K., Yanjun, L., Karl, E. Y., Flemming, R. C., Schwarze, P. E., Namork, E. (2006). Physicochemical characterisation of combustion particles from vehicle exhaust and residential wood smoke. Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 3(1).
Buseck, P. R., Jacob, D. J., Posfai, M., Li, J., & Anderson, J. R. (2002). Minerals in the air: an environmental perspective. In K. B. Krauskopf, W. G. Ernst (Eds.), Frontiers in geochemistry: global inorganic geochemistry, vol. 1 (pp. 106–122). Columbia: Geological Society of America: Bellwether Pub.
Chen, Y., Shah, N., Huggins, F. E., & Huffman, G. P. (2004). Investigation of the microcharacteristics of PM2.5 in residual oil fly ash by analytical transmission electron microscopy. Environmental Science and Technology, 38(24), 6553–6560.
Chen, Y., Shah, N., Huggins, F. E., & Huffman, G. P. (2005). Transmission electron microscopy investigation of ultrafine coal fly ash particles. Environmental Science and Technology, 39(4), 1144–1151.
Chen, Y., Shah, N., Huggins, F. E., & Huffman, G. P. (2006). Microanalysis of ambient particles from Lexington, KY, by electron microscopy. Atmospheric Environment, 40(4), 651–663.
Clague, A. D. H., Donnet, J. B., Wang, T. K., & Peng, J. C. M. (1999). A comparison of diesel engine soot with carbon black. Carbon, 37(10), 1553–1565.
Gierea, R., Blackford, M., & Smith, K. (2006). TEM study of PM2.5 emitted from coal and tire combustion in a thermal power station. Environmental Science and Technology, 40(20), 6235–6240.
Gilmour, P. S., Brown, D. M., Lindsay, T. G., Beswick, P. H., MacNee, W., & Donaldson, K. (1996). Adverse health effects of PM10 particles: involvement of iron in generation of hydroxyl radical. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 53(12), 817–822.
Hongya, N., Longyi, S., & Daizhou, Z. (2011). Aged status of soot particles during the passage of a weak cyclone in Beijing. Atmospheric Environment, 45(16), 2699–2703.
Monarca, S., Crebelli, R., Feretti, D., Zanardini, A., Fuselli, S., Filini, L., et al. (1997). Mutagens and carcinogens in size-classified air particulates of a Northern Italian town. Science of the Total Environment, 205(2–3), 137–144.
Murr, L. E., Esquivel, E. V., & Bang, J. J. (2004). Characterization of nanostructure phenomena in airborne particulate aggregates and their potential for respiratory health effects. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 15(3), 237–247.
Mutale, C. T., Tuling, A. S., Verryn, S. M. C. (2004). TEM study of solid titanium oxides inclusions in steel melt at 1600°C. VII International Conference on Molten Slags Fluxes and Salts (pp. 293–297). The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Park, K., Cao, F., David, B. K., & Mcmurry, P. H. (2003). Relationship between particle mass and mobility for diesel exhaust particles. Environmental Science and Technology, 37(3), 577–583.
Posfai, M., Anderson, J. R., & Buseck, P. R. (1995). Compositional variations of sea-salt-mode aerosol particles from the North Atlantic. Journal of Geophysical Research, [Atmospheres], 100(D11), 23063–23074.
Posfai, M., Anderson, J. R., Buseck, P. R., & Sievering, H. (1999). Soot and sulfate aerosol particles in the remote marine troposphere. Journal of Geophysical Research, [Atmospheres], 104(D17), 21685–21693.
Renwick, L. C., Brown, D., Clouter, A., & Donaldson, K. (2004). Increased inflammation and altered macrophage chemotactic responses caused by two ultrafine particle types. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61(5), 442–447.
Schauer, J. J., Rogge, W. F., Hildemann, L. M., Mazurek, M. A., & Cass, G. R. (1996). Source apportionment of airborne particulate matter using organic compounds as tracers. Atmospheric Environment, 30(22), 3837–3855.
Senlin, L., Zhenkun, Y., Xiaohui, C., Minghong, W., Guoying, S., Jiamo, F., & Paul, D. (2008). The relationship between physicochemical characterization and the potential toxicity of fine particulates (PM2.5) in Shanghai atmosphere. Atmospheric Environment, 42(31), 7205–7214.
Utsunomiya, S., & Ewing, R. C. (2003). Application of high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy to the characterization of nanoparticles in the environment. Environmental Science and Technology, 37(4), 786–791.
Utsunomiya, S., Jensen, K. A., Keeler, G. J., & Ewing, R. C. (2002). Uraninite and fullerene in atmospheric particulates. Environmental Science and Technology, 36(23), 4943–4947.
Utsunomiya, S., Jensen, K. A., Keeler, G. J., & Ewing, R. C. (2004). Direct identification of trace metals in fine and ultrafine particles in the Detroit urban atmosphere. Environmental Science and Technology, 38(8), 2289–2297.
Weisheng, Y., Xiaolin, L., Jiangfeng, L., Yulan, L., Guilin, Z., & Yan, L. (2007). Source tracing of chromium-, manganese-, nickel- and zinc-containing particles (PM10) by micro-PIXE spectrum. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 274(1), 115–121.
Xiaolin, L., Yuanxun, Z., Mingguang, T., Jiangfeng, L., Liangman, B., Guilin, Z., Yan, L., & Atsuo, I. (2009). Atmospheric lead pollution in fine particulate matter in Shanghai, China. Journal of Environmental Sciences (China), 21(8), 1118–1124.
Zongbo, S., Longyi, S., Jones, T. P., Whittaker, A. G., Senlin, L., Berube, K. A., Taoe, H., & Richards, R. J. (2003). Characterization of airborne individual particles collected in an urban area, a satellite city and a clean air area in Beijing, 2001. Atmospheric Environment, 37(29), 4097–4108.
Acknowledgments
Financial support for this study was provided by the Major Project of Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KJCX3.SYW.N3) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC, No.11175236). The authors are grateful to Prof. Keming Fang at Beijing University of Science and Technology for the TEM sample preparation.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Akram, W., Madhuku, M., Ahmad, I. et al. Morphology, microstructure and chemical composition of single inhalable particles in Shanghai, China. Environ Monit Assess 186, 8587–8598 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-4026-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-4026-9