Insights into the dynamics and sources of atmospheric lead and particulate matter in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from high temporal resolution sampling

Author(s)

Gioia, Simone M. C. L. ^[1] ; Babinski, Marly ^[1] ; Weiss, Dominik J. ^{[2, 3]} ; Kerr, Americo A. F. S. ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Geociencias, Ctr Pesquisas Geocronol, BR-05508080 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, London SW7 2AZ - England

^[3] Nat Hist Museum, London SW7 5PD - England

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fis, Dept Fis Aplicada, BR-05508080 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH; v. 98, n. 2-4, p. 478-485, NOV-DEC 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 19

Abstract

We present the first results of a study investigating the processes that control concentrations and sources of Pb and particulate matter in the atmosphere of Sao Paulo City Brazil Aerosols were collected with high temporal resolution (3 hours) during a four-day period in July 2005 The highest Pb concentrations measured coincided with large fireworks during celebration events and associated to high traffic occurrence Our high-resolution data highlights the impact that a singular transient event can have on air quality even in a megacity Under meteorological conditions non-conducive to pollutant dispersion Pb and particulate matter concentrations accumulated during the night leading to the highest concentrations in aerosols collected early in the morning of the following day The stable isotopes of Pb suggest that emissions from traffic remain an Important source of Pb in Sao Paulo City due to the large traffic fleet despite low Pb concentrations in fuels (C) 2010 Elsevier BV All rights reserved (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/09879-6 - Study of the composition of the aerosols and of the isotopic signature of Pb as tracer of the sources of atmospheric pollution in the city of São Paulo
• Grantee: Simone Maria Costa Lima Gioia
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral