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“Measurements of air pollution emission factors for marine transportation in SECA”. Alföldy B, Lööv JB, Lagler F, Bencs L, Horemans B, Van Grieken R, et al, Atmospheric measurement techniques 6, 1777 (2013). http://doi.org/10.5194/AMT-6-1777-2013
Abstract: The chemical composition of the plumes of seagoing ships was measured during a two week long measurement campaign in the port of Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland The Netherlands, in September 2009. Altogether, 497 ships were monitored and a statistical evaluation of emission factors (g kg−1 fuel) was provided. The concerned main atmospheric components were SO2, NO2, NOx and the aerosol particle number. In addition, the elemental and water-soluble ionic composition of the emitted particulate matter was determined. Emission factors were expressed as a function of ship type, power and crankshaft rotational speed. The average SO2 emission factor was found to be roughly half of what is allowed in sulphur emission control areas (16 vs. 30 g kg−1 fuel), and exceedances of this limit were rarely registered. A significant linear relationship was observed between the SO2 and particle number emission factors. The intercept of the regression line, 4.8 × 1015 (kg fuel)−1, gives the average number of particles formed during the burning of 1 kg zero sulphur content fuel, while the slope, 2 × 1018, provides the average number of particles formed with 1 kg sulphur burnt with the fuel. Water-soluble ionic composition analysis of the aerosol samples from the plumes showed that ~144 g of particulate sulphate was emitted from 1 kg sulphur burnt with the fuel. The mass median diameter of sulphate particles estimated from the measurements was ~42 nm.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.5194/AMT-6-1777-2013
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“Methods, fluxes and sources of gas phase alkyl nitrates in the coastal air”. Dirtu AC, Buczyńska AJ, Godoi AFL, Favoreto R, Bencs L, Potgieter-Vermaak SS, Godoi RHM, Van Grieken R, Van Vaeck L, Environmental monitoring and assessment 186, 6445 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1007/S10661-014-3866-7
Abstract: The daily and seasonal atmospheric concentrations, deposition fluxes and emission sources of a few C3C9 gaseous alkyl nitrates (ANs) at the Belgian coast (De Haan) on the Southern North Sea were determined. An adapted sampler design for low- and high-volume air-sampling, optimized sample extraction and clean-up, as well as identification and quantification of ANs in air samples by means of gas chromatography mass spectrometry, are reported. The total concentrations of ANs ranged from 0.03 to 85 pptv and consisted primarily of the nitro-butane and nitro-pentane isomers. Air mass backward trajectories were calculated by the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model to determine the influence of main air masses on AN levels in the air. The shorter chain ANs have been the most abundant in the Atlantic/Channel/UK air masses, while longer chain ANs prevailed in continental air. The overall mean N fluxes of the ANs were slightly higher for summer than those for winter-spring, although their contributions to the total nitrogen flux were low. High correlations between AN and HNO2 levels were observed during winter/spring. During summer, the shorter chain ANs correlated well with precipitation. Source apportionment by means of principal component analysis indicated that most of the gas phase ANs could be attributed to traffic/combustion, secondary photochemical formation and biomass burning, although marine sources may also have been present and a contributing factor.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Toxicological Centre
DOI: 10.1007/S10661-014-3866-7
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“Methods for the determination of platinum group elements originating from the abrasion of automotive catalytic converters”. Bencs L, Ravindra K, Van Grieken R, Spectrochimica acta: part B : atomic spectroscopy 58, 1723 (2003). http://doi.org/10.1016/S0584-8547(03)00162-9
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/S0584-8547(03)00162-9
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“Modelling concentrations of airborne primary and secondary PM10 and PM2.5 with the BelEUROS-model in Belgium”. Deutsch F, Vankerkom J, Janssen L, Janssen S, Bencs L, Van Grieken R, Fierens F, Dumont G, Mensink C, Ecological modelling 217, 230 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOLMODEL.2008.06.003
Abstract: The Eulerian Chemistry-Transport Model BelEUROS was used to calculate the concentrations of airborne PM10 and PM2.5 over Europe. Both primary as well as secondary particulate matter in the respirable size-range was taken into account. Especially PM2.5 aerosols are often formed in the atmosphere from gaseous precursor compounds. Comprehensive computer codes for the calculation of gas phase chemical reactions and thermodynamic equilibria between compounds in the gas-phase and the particulate phase had been implemented into the BelEUROS-model. Calculated concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 are compared to observations, including both the spatial and daily, temporal distribution of particulate matter in Belgium for certain monitoring locations and periods. The concentrations of the secondary compounds ammonium, nitrate and sulfate have also been compared to observed values. BeIEUROS was found to reproduce the observed concentrations rather well. The model was applied to assess the contribution of emissions derived from the sector agriculture in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, to PM10- and PM2.5-concentrations. The results demonstrate the importance of ammonia emissions in the formation of secondary particulate matter. Hence, future European emission abatement policy should consider more the role of ammonia in the formation of secondary particles
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/J.ECOLMODEL.2008.06.003
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“Monitoring of NO2 in the ambient air with passive samplers before and after a road reconstruction event”. Stranger M, Krata A, Kontozova-Deutsch V, Bencs L, Deutsch F, Worobiec A, Naveau I, Roekens E, Van Grieken R, Microchemical journal 90, 93 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.MICROC.2008.04.001
Abstract: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations were used to evaluate the air quality before and after the infrastructural change of an important traffic artery in Mortsel, Antwerp (Belgium). During the reconstruction works two pairs of traffic lanes were reduced to one in each direction. Two sampling campaigns were conducted: the first one before the works in 2003 and the second one in 2005, after the road works were finished. Sampling was performed on a weekly base with the use of passive diffusion tubes on the streets, and also indoors in nearby houses. The samples were analyzed by ion chromatography, from which data the NO2 concentrations in air could be calculated. These results were compared with NO2 values from the air monitoring station 42R801 of the Flemish Environment Agency in Borgerhout, Antwerp. On the base of different NO2 concentrations, correlated well with the traffic density, sampling locations were classified into three groups as follows: 1) heavily polluted (heavy traffic); 2) moderately polluted (medium traffic); or 3) less polluted (low traffic density). Sampling sites located further from the road works, enclosed to the group less polluted, showedthe lowestNO2 concentrations. The highestNO2 levelwas found for the locations close to reconstructionworks, which belonged to the group heavily polluted. The contribution of NO2 was at the samelevel before and after the roadworks. During the first campaign it ranged from30±7 µg/m3 to 71±11 µg/m3 and during the second sampling itwas between 36±17 µg/m3 and 73±17 µg/m3. These modernizationworks had no impact on preventing the traffic-related pollutant as NO2 and as a consequence no significant effect on the air quality in the studied region. It has been proven that the impact of traffic on the air quality is unmistakably high and simply reduction of the number of the traffic lanes, intended to discourage the traffic flow, had apparently no environmentally advantageous effect
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)
DOI: 10.1016/J.MICROC.2008.04.001
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“Monitoring of tropospheric ozone in the ambient air with passive samplers”. Alejo ellys, Morales MC, Nuñez V, Bencs L, Van Grieken R, van Espen P, Microchemical journal 99, 383 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.MICROC.2011.06.010
Abstract: Two sampling campaigns in suburban places in the north zone of Santa Clara city, Cuba, have been carried out on a weekly base with the use of Radiello passive diffusion tubes in order to monitor the tropospheric ozone (O3) levels in 2010. The first campaign was scheduled from February to April (cold season) and the second one in August and October (warm season), both of them at two sampling sites, i.e., Farm and School of Art Instructors. After aqueous extraction, the samples were analyzed by UVVIS spectrophotometry. A seasonal trend was observed with the maximum O3 concentrations in the cold season and the minimum levels in the warm season. Samples collected during the cold season showed the highest O3 levels. Higher levels were reached at the Farm site with average values of about 58 ± 12 μg/m3, which exceeded the limit of the Cuban Standard 99:1999. In the warm season, the O3 concentrations were similar for both sites, but lower than those observed in the cold season. The overall, seasonal average value was found to be 24 μg/m3. Despite the higher weekly average temperatures in August, the O3 concentrations during this month showed the lowest values of the whole sampling period, which finding is in agreement with that reported by the Meteorological Institute of Cuba. Mathematical models, based on the Cochrane-Orcutt algorithm, were fitted to the acquired data set to explain the change in the tropospheric ozone concentrations under various meteorological conditions during the two campaigns. The correlation coefficients for both the cold and the warm seasons demonstrated a strong correlation, i.e., 0.779 and 0.951, respectively. The high correlation of wind speed in the model from the first sampling campaign explains the sharp decrease in O3 concentrations at the SAI sampling site from the sixth week of sampling.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/J.MICROC.2011.06.010
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“Platinum : environmental pollution and health effects”. Bencs L, Ravindra K, Van Grieken R page 580 (2011).
Keywords: H2 Book chapter; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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“Platinum group elements in the environment and their health risk”. Ravindra K, Bencs L, Van Grieken R, The science of the total environment 318, 1 (2004). http://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00372-3
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00372-3
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Swerling G, Travaglini B, Van Grieken R, Spolnik Z, Bencs L, [et al.], European Project Freindly-Heating (2006) Il riscaldamento nelle chiese e la conservazione dei beni culturali = Church heating and the preservation of the cultural heritage. 240 p
Keywords: ME2 Book as editor or co-editor; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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“Seasonal and site-specific variation in vapour and aerosol phase PAHs over Flanders (Belgium) and their relation with anthropogenic activities”. Ravindra K, Bencs L, Wauters E, de Hoog J, Deutsch F, Roekens E, Bleux N, Berghmans P, Van Grieken R, Atmospheric environment : an international journal 40, 771 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ATMOSENV.2005.10.011
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/J.ATMOSENV.2005.10.011
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“A seasonal study of atmospheric conditions influenced by the intensive tourist flow in the Royal Museum of Wawel Castle in Cracow, Poland”. Worobiec A, Samek L, Karaszkiewicz P, Kontozova-Deutsch V, Stefaniak EA, van Meel K, Krata A, Bencs L, Van Grieken R, Microchemical journal 90, 99 (2008). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.MICROC.2008.04.005
Abstract: Increasingmass tourismcan generate importantmicroclimatic perturbations and also elevate indoor pollution by the transport of fine particulatematter. The purpose of this researchwas to study the indoor air conditions in the RoyalMuseum ofWawel Castle in Cracow, Poland, displaying amongst other valuable works of art also a unique collection of Flemish tapestries. The investigation involved in the determination of transport and deposition of particulate matter brought in by visitors. The microclimate inside the exhibition rooms was also monitored. Samples of suspended particulateswere collected inside and outside themuseuminwinterand summer2006.On days with intensive tourist visits the concentration of total suspended particulates was significantly higher (i.e., 130 µg/m3 inwinter and 49 µg/m3 in summer) than on those days without tourists (i.e., 73 µg/m3 and 22 µg/m3 in winter and summer, respectively). The concentrations of all investigated elementswere also considerably higher during the tourist flow. This was especially valid for soil dust associated elements (Si, K, Ca, Al, and Ti), with considerably higher levels in summer than winter. This could be linked with much more frequent tourist activity in the summer period. Also, the concentration of Clwasmuch higher inwinter than summer, due to the use of deicing salts on the roads and pavements.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)
DOI: 10.1016/J.MICROC.2008.04.005
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“Seasonal trends of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide over North Santa Clara, Cuba”. Alejo D, Morales MC, de la Torre JB, Grau R, Bencs L, Van Grieken R, van Espen P, Sosa D, Nuñez V, Environmental monitoring and assessment 185, 6023 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1007/S10661-012-3003-4
Abstract: Atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels were monitored simultaneously by means of Radiello passive samplers at six sites of Santa Clara city, Cuba, in the cold and the warm seasons in 2010. The dissolved ionic forms of NO2 and SO2 as nitrate and sulfite plus sulfate, respectively, were determined by means of ion chromatography. Analysis of NO2 as nitrite was also performed by UVVis spectrophotometry. For NO2, significant t tests show good agreement between the results of IC and UVVis methods. The NO2 and SO2 concentrations peaked in the cold season, while their minimum levels were experienced in the warm season. The pollutant levels do not exceed the maximum allowable limit of the Cuban Standard 39:1999, i.e., 40 μg/m3 and 50 μg/m3 for NO2 and SO2, respectively. The lowest pollutant concentrations obtained in the warm season can be attributed to an increase in their removal via precipitation (scavenging) while to the decreased traffic density and industrial emission during the summer holidays (e.g., July and August).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1007/S10661-012-3003-4
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“Single-run ion chromatographic separation of inorganic and low-molecular-mass organic anions under isocratic elution: application to environmental samples”. Krata A, Kontozova-Deutsch V, Bencs L, Deutsch F, Van Grieken R, Talanta : the international journal of pure and applied analytical chemistry 79, 16 (2009). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.TALANTA.2009.02.044
Abstract: For the isocratic ion chromatography (IC) separation of low-molecular-mass organic acids and inorganic anions three different anion-exchange columns were studied: IonPac AS14 (9 ìm particle size), Allsep A-2 (7 ìm particle size), and IC SI-50 4E (5 ìm particle size). A complete baseline separation for all analyzed anions (i.e., F−, acetate, formate, Cl−, NO2−, Br−, NO3−, HPO42− and SO42−) in one analytical cycle of shorter than 17 min was achieved on the IC SI-50 4E column, using an eluent mixture of 3.2 mM Na2CO3 and 1.0 mM NaHCO3 with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. On the IonPac AS14 column, it was possible to separate acetate from inorganic anions in one run (i.e., less than 9 min), but not formate, under the following conditions: 3.5 mM Na2CO3 plus 1.0 mM NaHCO3 with a flow rate of 1.2 mL min−1. Therefore, it was necessary to adapt a second run with a 2.0 mM Na2B4O7 solution as an eluent under a flow rate of 0.8 mL min−1 for the separation of organic ions, which considerably enlarged the analysis time. For the Allsep A-2 column, using an eluent mixture of 1.2 mM Na2CO3 plus 1.5 mM NaHCO3 with a flow rate of 1.6 mL min−1, it was possible to separate almost all anions in one run within 25 min, except the fluoride-acetate critical pair. A Certified Multianion Standard Solution PRIMUS for IC was used for the validation of the analytical methods. The lowest RSDs (less than 1%) and the best LODs (0.02, 0.2, 0.16, 0.11, 0.06, 0.05, 0.04, 0.14 and 0.09 mg L−1 for F−, Ac−, For−, Cl−, NO2−, Br−, NO3−, HPO42− and SO42−, respectively) were achieved using the IC SI-50 4E column. This column was applied for the separation of concerned ions in environmental precipitation samples such as snow, hail and rainwater.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/J.TALANTA.2009.02.044
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“Some studies of the effect of indoor and outdoor pollutants on cultural heritage items”. Van Grieken R, Kontozova V, Godoi RHM, Spolnik Z, Worobiec A, Deutsch F, Bencs L, (2005)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)
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“Spatial and temporal variation of anthropogenic palladium in the environment”. Bencs L, Ravindra K, Van Grieken R page 433 (2006).
Keywords: H3 Book chapter; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
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“Uneven distribution of inorganic pollutants in marine air originating from ocean-going ships”. Bencs L, Horemans B, Buczyńska AJ, Van Grieken R, Environmental pollution 222, 226 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2016.12.052
Abstract: The distribution of mass, water-soluble inorganic salts and mineral elements of size-segregated aerosols (PM1, PM2.5-1 and PM10-2.5), precursor gaseous pollutants, black carbon, and nanoparticles (10-300 nm size range) at the Southern Bight of the North Sea has been studied. The concentrations of air pollutants peaked over shipping lanes, open-water anchorage areas and frequently navigated waters, due to the presence of mobile emission sources. A considerable decrease in air pollutant levels was seen when diverting from these marine areas towards remote or coastal banks. These findings showed the rapid dispersion of pollutants in the marine air. The nano-aerosol count, originating from ocean-going ships, peaked at lower average aerodynamic diameters (e.g., approximate to 28 nm) than those, observed from low displacement vessels (45-50 nm, e.g., for fishing boats). The average diameter of nano-PM depended also on weather conditions, e.g., it was higher (approximate to 50 nm) in air of higher humidity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2016.12.052
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