Physico-chemical characterization of the aerossol in the East region of São Paulo metropolitan area

Abstract

The research project will aim to determine the physico-chemical characterization of the aerosol of the East Urban Zone of São Paulo, where the School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (EACH) of the University of São Paulo (USP) is located.Environmental monitoring of inhalable particulate matter, one of the most harmful pollutants to human health, will be held at EACH. Additionally, some gases will be monitored. While sampling of PM2.5 and PM10 will be carried out continuously, monitoring of gases (methane, NO, NO2 and O3) will be held in two seasons, winter and summer.The results will be analyzed by complementary techniques, where the mass concentration of the sampling material, the elemental composition and concentrations of cations/anions could be known. Subsequent statistical analyzes will determine the contribution of different regional emission sources such as vehicles, industries, soil, among others. Similarly, the results will be related to meteorological parameters from the weather surface station located at EACH, thus allowing to evaluate the influence of meteorology on pollutant concentration.Through AERONET network data, it will be possible to correlate the optical properties of the aerosol with its chemical composition. Some particles have the property to scatter solar radiation, while other particles absorb radiation. Relationships between the elemental concentrations and parameters, such as the scattering coefficient, the Angstron coefficient and the optical depth, can be established. The project will feature the collaboration of the Laboratory of Analysis of Atmospheric Processes - LAPAt of the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, IAG / USP. It will be linked to the Thematic Project NUANCE "NARROWING THE UNCERTAINTIES ON AEROSOL AND CLIMATE CHANGES IN SÃO PAULO STATE - NUANCE-SPS", projeto FAPESP 2008/58104-8 (http://www.fapesp.br/pfpmcg/pfpmcg_andrade.pdf e http://nuance-lapat.iag.usp.br/). (AU)