Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/P009441/1
Developing a new chemical link between composition, abundance and sources of black carbon in a major urban environment
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr PL Ascough, Scottish Universities Env Research Cen, SUERC
- Grant held at:
- Scottish Universities Env Research Cen, SUERC
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Atmospheric
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Aerosol chemistry
- Gas & Solution Phase Reactions
- Human health impacts
- Climate & Climate Change
- Environment & Health
- Air pollution
- Pollution
- Abstract:
- The air around us is vital for survival, yet every breath transfers small particles of pollutants into our lungs. It is estimated that in the UK alone long-term exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) results in 340,000 life-years lost, equivalent to c.29,000 deaths a year [1]. Black carbon (BC), emitted from diesel and other fossil-fuel and biomass combustion, is a significant contributor to PM, with specific adverse effects on health [2]. BC is also an important contributor to global warming by trapping planetary radiation. A recent UN report concluded that control of BC would have immediate and multiple benefits for human well-being [3]. Despite substantial UK reductions in emissions and concentrations of black smoke/BC since the 1960s, poor urban air quality remains a government priority area (Parliamentary Environment Committee, 2016). Glasgow, the project focus area has, and historically had, amongst the highest air pollution levels outside London. Despite its importance, BC remains poorly understood. Its atmospheric measurement by optical absorption, and its quantification in soils, the fate of the majority of emitted BC, are both operationally defined and in the latter can yield orders of magnitude difference in abundance [4]. Furthermore, there is little information on the precise chemistry of BC other than it contains carcinogenic polyaromatic compounds [5]. The overall aim of this project is to enhance understanding of BC environmental processes by providing a chemical link between composition, abundance and sources of BC, both in the current context, but also through examination of the historical record of BC contained in soil/peat profiles. The key novelty is the application of a new chemical methodology, hydropyrolysis (HyPy), which isolates, quantifies, and characterises BC on a secure chemical basis, capturing the full BC spectrum. The project has been designed in collaboration with the CASE partner, Air Monitors Ltd, who are a major developer and supplier of particulate matter and BC sampling and measurement instrumentation. Project outcomes relevant to Air Monitors Ltd business include data that informs calibration and improvement of BC monitoring equipment and that highlights the importance of characterizing BC to end users, e.g. governmental and industry. Air Monitors Ltd. have committed to provide both equipment and training to the PhD student in obtaining PM samples, in current commercial BC monitoring application and in data interpretation. Objectives: 1) Determine the contemporary concentrations, chemical composition and sources of BC pollution in Glasgow City 2) Compare the snapshot of current BC composition and abundance with historical records from soil vertical profiles of BC abundance and composition from the last few decades By understanding the abundance and composition of urban BC we will be an important step closer to accurate quantification of a BC budget and cycle on a national and international level, along with understanding aspects such as the potential health and environmental impacts of various forms of BC, e.g. larger ring sizes have more negative environmental effects, smaller ring sizes have greater toxicity. Indeed, simply quantifying BC on a secure chemical basis will be a leap forward in understanding the dynamic role of this material in our urban environments. (1) COMEAP. 2010. The mortality effects of long-term exposure to particulate air pollution in the UK, UK Department of Health Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants. ISBN 978-0-85951-685-3 (2) WHO 2012. Health effects of black carbon, ISBN 978 92 890 0265 3. (3) UNEP/WMO 2011. Integrated assessment of black carbon & tropospheric ozone. UN Environment Programme & World Meteorological Org. ISBN: 92-807-3141-6. (4) Hammes et al. 2007. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 21, GB3016 (5) Avakian et al. 2002. Env. Health Perspect. 110, 1155-1162
- NERC Reference:
- NE/P009441/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £88,292
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £17,296 | £11,000 | £59,998 |
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