Soluble trace metals in aerosols over the tropical south-east Pacific offshore of Peru

Bulk aerosol samples collected during cruise M91 of FS Meteor off the coast of Peru in December 2012 were analysed for their soluble trace metal (Fe, Al, Mn, Ti, Zn, V, Ni, Cu, Co, Cd, Pb, Th) and major ion (including NO3- and NH4+) content. These data are among the first recorded for trace metals in this relatively poorly studied region of the global marine atmosphere. To the north of ~13°S, the concentrations of several elements (Fe, Ti, Zn, V, Ni, Pb) appear to be related to distance from the coast. At the south of the transect (~15-16°S), elevated concentrations of Fe, Cu, Co and Ni were observed, and we calculated dry deposition fluxes of soluble Cu approximately an order of magnitude higher than a recent model-based estimate of total Cu deposition to the region. The model did not take account of emissions from the large smelting facilities in the south of Peru and northern Chile and our results may indicate that these facilities constitute an important source of trace metals to the region. Calculated dry deposition fluxes (3370-17800 and 16-107 nmol m-2 d-1 for inorganic nitrogen and soluble Fe respectively) indicated that atmospheric input to the waters of the Peru upwelling system contains an excess of Fe over N, with respect to phytoplankton requirements. This may be significant as primary production in these waters has been reported to be limited by Fe availability, but atmospheric deposition is unlikely to be the dominant source of Fe to the system

Levels of dioxide of sulphur in La Oroya city historical analysis and perpectives

En el presente trabajo, se analizan los niveles de dióxido de azufre registrados durante el periodo enero 1998 a enero 2009, en la estación de monitoreo ambiental “Sindicato de Obreros” del Complejo Metalúrgico de La Oroya (CMLO). Esta estación cuenta con el registro histórico más extenso y presenta niveles de concentración de dióxido de azufre intermedios frente a las demás estaciones de la Red de Monitoreo del CMLO, aunque, las concentraciones que registra frecuentemente superan los valores máximos permitidos por las normas ambientales peruanas. Aún suponiendo que debido al reinicio de sus operaciones, el Complejo Metalúrgico de La Oroya produzca (y emita ) a sus niveles mínimos históricos (1998-2009), se estima que durante el periodo Enero-Marzo 2010, los niveles de dióxido de azufre en la atmósfera serían todavía superiores a los niveles permitidos.In this paper the sulfur dioxide levels recorded in the environmental station called “Sindicato de Obreros” of the Metallurgical Complex of La Oroya (CMLO, by its spanish acronyms ) was analyzed between January 1998 to January 2009. This station has the longest historical record and shows an intermediate level of sulfur dioxide concentrations in front of the others stations of CMLO Environmental Monitoring Network, although, its concentrations frequently exceeded the maximum amount allowed by Peruvian environmental standards. Even assuming that due to the resumption of its operations, the Metallurgical Complex of La Oroya will produce (and will emit) as like its historical lows (1998-2009) it´s estimates that during the period January to March 2010 sulfur dioxide levels in the atmosphere would still be higher than the permitted levels

El ruido en las operaciones mineras El caso de Yanacocha Oeste

Although almost all human activities produce noise, these may keep in a such level that can’t produce an adverse impact on the people health’s and be according to its environment, so, the countries rule the noise production and adopt environmental standards for noise. In this paper, the document titled : “Modificación al Plan de Monitoreo Ambiental Suplementario de Yanacocha Oeste” is considered and analyzed technically like an example of the environmental transcendence for these kind of documents when are presented to the sector authority.Si bien la generación de sonidos es prácticamente inherente a toda la actividad humana, se debe cuidar que de estos no provoquen alteraciones adversas a la salud humana y perturben lo menos posible el medio natural; de ahí la adopción de estándares de calidad ambiental para el ruido en cada uno de los países. En el presente documento se interpreta y analiza técnicamente la propuesta de modificación al Plan de Monitoreo Ambiental Suplementario de Yanacocha Oeste presentado en octubre del 2008 ante el Ministerio de Energía y Minas del Perú como un ejemplo de la importancia que tiene la gestión del ruido en las operaciones mineras

Integrating dual C and N isotopic approach to elemental and mathematical solutions for improving the PM source apportionment in complex urban and industrial cities: Case of Tarragona - Spain

Identification of dominant airborne Particulate Matter (PM) sources is essential for maintaining high air quality standards and thus ensuring a good public health. In this study, different approaches were applied for source apportionment of three PM fractions (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10) at the outdoor of 14 schools of a coastal city with a significant land use interweaving such as Tarragona (Spain). PM were collected in 24h-quartz microfiber filters in two seasonal campaigns (cold and warm), together with nine local potential sources, so a total of 84 samples were chemically, mineralogically, and isotopically characterised. Source apportionment was assessed by (i) main chemical components, (ii) Principal Component Analysis (PCA), (iii) dual C and N isotope approach, and (iv) a Bayesian isotope mixing model. When chemical concentrations were grouped into marine, crustal, secondary inorganic aerosols and organic matter + elemental carbon categories, the unaccounted component reached 45% of PM mass. The PCA allowed to identify also traffic and industrial contributions, reducing the unaccounted mass to about 25%. Adding δ13C and δ15N values, secondary organic aerosol could be estimated and a continuous contribution of diesel combustion was identified together with a remarkable use of natural gas in winter. Isotopic values were better understood when considering air masses back trajectories and a possible long-distance contribution from coal-fired electric generating units (EGUs). Finally, using Bayesian dual isotope mixing models, the unaccounted PM mass was reduced up to 5% when adding these EGUs to marine-carbonate related, road traffic, domestic heating, waste incinerator and livestock waste contributions. The added value of the dual isotope approach combined with a Bayesian isotope mixing model, in comparison with conventional chemical approaches, was thus demonstrated for PM source apportionment in an urban and industrial site where many sources and processes converge and can then be applied to other complex cities