scholarly journals Characterisation of Atmospheric Particulate Matter from Opencast Coal Mining Activities and Adjacent Communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lerato Khumalo ◽  
Gerrit Kornelius ◽  
Pieter Van Zyl ◽  
Grant Hall
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Fuel ◽  
Coal Mines ◽  
Carbonaceous Material ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽  
Optical Methods ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate ◽  
Mineral Components ◽  
Domestic Use ◽  
Inorganic Mineral ◽  
Opencast Coal Mines

Standard source apportionment techniques for atmospheric particulate (PM) collected near opencast coal mines provide less accurate results, as the inorganic mineral components in the overburden and at adjacent residential locations are similar. This study explores the use of the stable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotope ratios (13C/12C and 15N/14N) and thermal optical methods to differentiate sources of carbonaceous material in the atmospheric PM samples from the opencast coal mines and adjacent communities.  Both techniques allow a clear distinction between atmospheric PM samples from the opencast coal mines and communities to be made, although distinguishing between the contributions of coal combustion, liquid fuel combustion and the domestic use of biomass for requires further analysis.

scholarly journals Effects of urban atmospheric particulate matter on higher plants using Lycopersicon esculentum as model species

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katalin Hubai ◽  
Nora Kováts ◽  
Gábor Teke
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Lycopersicon Esculentum ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽  
Dose Effect ◽  
Atmospheric Particulate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Treatment Experiment

AbstractAtmospheric particulate matter (PM) is one of the major environmental concerns in Europe. A wide range of studies has proved the ecotoxic potential of atmospheric particles. PM exerts chemical stress on vegetation by its potentially toxic constituents; however, relatively few studies are available on assessing phytotoxic effects under laboratory conditions. In our study, aqueous extract of particulate matter was prepared and used for treatment. Experiment was following the procedure defined by the No. 227 OECD Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals: Terrestrial Plant Test. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants were used; elucidated toxicity was assessed based on morphological and biochemical endpoints such as biomass, chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, carotenoids, and protein content. Biomass reduction and protein content showed a clear dose–effect relationship; the biomass decreased in comparison with the control (100%) in all test groups (TG) at a steady rate (TG1: 87.73%; TG2: 71.77%; TG3: 67.01%; TG4: 63.63%). The tendency in protein concentrations compared to the control was TG1: 113.61%; TG2: 148.21% TG3: 160.52%; TG4: 157.31%. However, pigments showed a ‘Janus-faced’ effect: nutrient content of the sample caused slight increase at lower doses; actual toxicity became apparent only at higher doses (chlorophyll-a concentration decrease was 84.47% in TG4, chlorophyll-b was 77.17%, and finally, carotene showed 83.60% decrease in TG4).

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