Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa

Diverse natural and anthropogenic activities in the Highveld of South Africa contribute to elevated levels of inorganic and organic gaseous pollutant species. The primary aims of this investigation were to determine spatial and temporal distributions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2)...

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Main Authors: Alexandra Lourens, Johan Beukes, Pieter van Zyl, Gerhardus Fourie, Johanna Burger, Jacobus Pienaar, Colin Read, Johan Jordaan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academy of Science of South Africa 2011-01-01
Series:South African Journal of Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10078
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author Alexandra Lourens
Johan Beukes
Pieter van Zyl
Gerhardus Fourie
Johanna Burger
Jacobus Pienaar
Colin Read
Johan Jordaan
author_facet Alexandra Lourens
Johan Beukes
Pieter van Zyl
Gerhardus Fourie
Johanna Burger
Jacobus Pienaar
Colin Read
Johan Jordaan
author_sort Alexandra Lourens
collection DOAJ
description Diverse natural and anthropogenic activities in the Highveld of South Africa contribute to elevated levels of inorganic and organic gaseous pollutant species. The primary aims of this investigation were to determine spatial and temporal distributions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), as well as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) in this area. Sampling was conducted on a monthly basis for a year at eight strategically selected sites. The highest NO2, SO2 and BTEX concentrations were measured at sites with significant local sources and/or sites impacted by more remote sources, as indicated by overlay back trajectories. O3 concentrations were found to be lower at sites with high levels of NO2, SO2 and BTEX. NO2 and SO2 peaked during winter, while O3 peaked in spring. NO2 and SO2 temporal concentration variations were ascribed to differences in seasonal meteorological conditions, as well as additional sources in winter. The O3 peak coincided with a seasonal CO peak, which was identified as an important precursor for O3 formation. No distinct seasonal trend was observed for BTEX. The annual average concentrations for SO2, NO2, O3 and benzene were below the South African annual standards at all sites.
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spelling doaj-art-7c7da3bcc6c44d2f9c8673de1d0958f22025-08-20T02:25:30ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892011-01-011071/28 pages8 pages8280Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South AfricaAlexandra Lourens0Johan Beukes1Pieter van Zyl2Gerhardus Fourie3Johanna Burger4Jacobus Pienaar5Colin Read6Johan Jordaan7North West University, Potchefstroom campusNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusSasol Technology, SasolburgSasol Technology, SasolburgNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusNorth West University, Potchefstroom campusDiverse natural and anthropogenic activities in the Highveld of South Africa contribute to elevated levels of inorganic and organic gaseous pollutant species. The primary aims of this investigation were to determine spatial and temporal distributions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3), as well as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) in this area. Sampling was conducted on a monthly basis for a year at eight strategically selected sites. The highest NO2, SO2 and BTEX concentrations were measured at sites with significant local sources and/or sites impacted by more remote sources, as indicated by overlay back trajectories. O3 concentrations were found to be lower at sites with high levels of NO2, SO2 and BTEX. NO2 and SO2 peaked during winter, while O3 peaked in spring. NO2 and SO2 temporal concentration variations were ascribed to differences in seasonal meteorological conditions, as well as additional sources in winter. The O3 peak coincided with a seasonal CO peak, which was identified as an important precursor for O3 formation. No distinct seasonal trend was observed for BTEX. The annual average concentrations for SO2, NO2, O3 and benzene were below the South African annual standards at all sites.https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10078btexno2so2o3passivesamplingspatialtemporal distributions
spellingShingle Alexandra Lourens
Johan Beukes
Pieter van Zyl
Gerhardus Fourie
Johanna Burger
Jacobus Pienaar
Colin Read
Johan Jordaan
Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa
South African Journal of Science
btex
no2
so2
o3
passive
sampling
spatial
temporal distributions
title Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa
title_full Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa
title_fullStr Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa
title_short Spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the Highveld of South Africa
title_sort spatial and temporal assessment of gaseous pollutants in the highveld of south africa
topic btex
no2
so2
o3
passive
sampling
spatial
temporal distributions
url https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10078
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