Identification and Characterization of Atmospheric Nickel-Containing Particles in Guangzhou After the Implementation of the Clean Fuel Policy

Nickel, as a toxic trace element in fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>), has detrimental effects on both air quality and human health. Based on measurements from 2020 to 2021 using a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SPAMS), this study investigates the properties of nicke...

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Main Authors: Zaihua Wang, Xuanxiao Chen, Cheng Wu, Hong Ju, Zhong Fu, Xin Xiong, Ting Qiu, Yuchen Lu, Junjie He, Yaxi Liu, Haining Wu, Chunlei Cheng, Mei Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Toxics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/5/345
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author Zaihua Wang
Xuanxiao Chen
Cheng Wu
Hong Ju
Zhong Fu
Xin Xiong
Ting Qiu
Yuchen Lu
Junjie He
Yaxi Liu
Haining Wu
Chunlei Cheng
Mei Li
author_facet Zaihua Wang
Xuanxiao Chen
Cheng Wu
Hong Ju
Zhong Fu
Xin Xiong
Ting Qiu
Yuchen Lu
Junjie He
Yaxi Liu
Haining Wu
Chunlei Cheng
Mei Li
author_sort Zaihua Wang
collection DOAJ
description Nickel, as a toxic trace element in fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>), has detrimental effects on both air quality and human health. Based on measurements from 2020 to 2021 using a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SPAMS), this study investigates the properties of nickel-containing particles (NCPs) in Guangzhou. The composition, sources, and temporal trends of NCPs were evaluated and the impact of the clean ship fuel policy introduced in 2020 was also examined. The key findings include: (1) Nickel particles account for 0.08% number fraction of PM<sub>2.5</sub>, which is consistent with previously reported mass fraction in PM<sub>2.5</sub>. (2) Three distinct types of NCPs were identified, including Ni-fresh, Ni-aged, and Ni-ash. Each type exhibits unique characteristics in size distribution, wind direction dependence, sources, and temporal variations. Ni-fresh particles originate from shipping emissions in the Huangpu Port area 2 km away and are the major contributors to fine nickel particles in the region. (3) Ni-aged and Ni-ash particles, which carry secondary components, tend to be larger (>500 nm) and are representative of regional or background nickel particles. (4) The implementation of the clean ship fuel policy has effectively reduced the number concentrations of NCPs and is beneficial to regional and local air quality.
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spelling doaj-art-ca2d61e7e9c94cda8452614ff95eaeba2025-08-20T02:33:55ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-04-0113534510.3390/toxics13050345Identification and Characterization of Atmospheric Nickel-Containing Particles in Guangzhou After the Implementation of the Clean Fuel PolicyZaihua Wang0Xuanxiao Chen1Cheng Wu2Hong Ju3Zhong Fu4Xin Xiong5Ting Qiu6Yuchen Lu7Junjie He8Yaxi Liu9Haining Wu10Chunlei Cheng11Mei Li12School of Energy Conservation and Safety, Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Guangzhou 510655, ChinaSchool of Energy Conservation and Safety, Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Guangzhou 510655, ChinaCollege of Environment and Climate, Institute of Mass Spectrometry and Atmospheric Environment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Online Source Apportionment System of Air Pollution, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaGuangzhou Sub-Branch of Guangdong Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaKey Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, ChinaHubei Academy of Eco-Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430072, ChinaSchool of Energy Conservation and Safety, Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Guangzhou 510655, ChinaSchool of Energy Conservation and Safety, Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Guangzhou 510655, ChinaGuangzhou Sub-Branch of Guangdong Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaDepartment of Resource and Environment, Moutai Institute, Renhuai 564507, ChinaGuangzhou Sub-Branch of Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration of the People’s Republic of China, Guangzhou 510260, ChinaCollege of Environment and Climate, Institute of Mass Spectrometry and Atmospheric Environment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Online Source Apportionment System of Air Pollution, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaCollege of Environment and Climate, Institute of Mass Spectrometry and Atmospheric Environment, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Online Source Apportionment System of Air Pollution, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, ChinaNickel, as a toxic trace element in fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>), has detrimental effects on both air quality and human health. Based on measurements from 2020 to 2021 using a single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SPAMS), this study investigates the properties of nickel-containing particles (NCPs) in Guangzhou. The composition, sources, and temporal trends of NCPs were evaluated and the impact of the clean ship fuel policy introduced in 2020 was also examined. The key findings include: (1) Nickel particles account for 0.08% number fraction of PM<sub>2.5</sub>, which is consistent with previously reported mass fraction in PM<sub>2.5</sub>. (2) Three distinct types of NCPs were identified, including Ni-fresh, Ni-aged, and Ni-ash. Each type exhibits unique characteristics in size distribution, wind direction dependence, sources, and temporal variations. Ni-fresh particles originate from shipping emissions in the Huangpu Port area 2 km away and are the major contributors to fine nickel particles in the region. (3) Ni-aged and Ni-ash particles, which carry secondary components, tend to be larger (>500 nm) and are representative of regional or background nickel particles. (4) The implementation of the clean ship fuel policy has effectively reduced the number concentrations of NCPs and is beneficial to regional and local air quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/5/345nickel particlesingle particle aerosol mass spectrometryPM<sub>2.5</sub>clean fuel policyGuangzhou
spellingShingle Zaihua Wang
Xuanxiao Chen
Cheng Wu
Hong Ju
Zhong Fu
Xin Xiong
Ting Qiu
Yuchen Lu
Junjie He
Yaxi Liu
Haining Wu
Chunlei Cheng
Mei Li
Identification and Characterization of Atmospheric Nickel-Containing Particles in Guangzhou After the Implementation of the Clean Fuel Policy
Toxics
nickel particle
single particle aerosol mass spectrometry
PM<sub>2.5</sub>
clean fuel policy
Guangzhou
title Identification and Characterization of Atmospheric Nickel-Containing Particles in Guangzhou After the Implementation of the Clean Fuel Policy
title_full Identification and Characterization of Atmospheric Nickel-Containing Particles in Guangzhou After the Implementation of the Clean Fuel Policy
title_fullStr Identification and Characterization of Atmospheric Nickel-Containing Particles in Guangzhou After the Implementation of the Clean Fuel Policy
title_full_unstemmed Identification and Characterization of Atmospheric Nickel-Containing Particles in Guangzhou After the Implementation of the Clean Fuel Policy
title_short Identification and Characterization of Atmospheric Nickel-Containing Particles in Guangzhou After the Implementation of the Clean Fuel Policy
title_sort identification and characterization of atmospheric nickel containing particles in guangzhou after the implementation of the clean fuel policy
topic nickel particle
single particle aerosol mass spectrometry
PM<sub>2.5</sub>
clean fuel policy
Guangzhou
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/5/345
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