Assessment of Spatial Variability across Multiple Pollutants in Auckland, New Zealand

Ian Longley, Brett Tunno, Elizabeth Somervell, Sam Edwards, Gustavo Olivares, Sally Gray, Guy Coulson, Leah Cambal, Courtney Roper, Lauren Chubb and Jane E. Clougherty
Additional contact information
Ian Longley: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 99940, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand
Brett Tunno: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
Elizabeth Somervell: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 99940, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand
Sam Edwards: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 99940, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand
Gustavo Olivares: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 99940, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand
Sally Gray: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 99940, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand
Guy Coulson: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Private Bag 99940, Newmarket, Auckland 1149, New Zealand
Leah Cambal: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
Courtney Roper: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
Lauren Chubb: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
Jane E. Clougherty: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: Spatial saturation studies using source-specific chemical tracers are commonly used to examine intra-urban variation in exposures and source impacts, for epidemiology and policy purposes. Most such studies, however, has been performed in North America and Europe, with substantial regional combustion-source contributions. In contrast, Auckland, New Zealand, a large western city, is relatively isolated in the south Pacific, with minimal impact from long-range combustion sources. However, fluctuating wind patterns, complex terrain, and an adjacent major port complicate pollution patterns within the central business district (CBD). We monitored multiple pollutants (fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), black carbon (BC), elemental composition, organic diesel tracers (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hopanes, steranes), and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 )) at 12 sites across the ~5 km 2 CBD during autumn 2014, to capture spatial variation in traffic, diesel, and proximity to the port. PM 2.5 concentrations varied 2.5-fold and NO 2 concentrations 2.9-fold across the CBD, though constituents varied more dramatically. The highest-concentration constituent was sodium (Na), a distinct non-combustion-related tracer for sea salt (µ = 197.8 ng/m 3 (SD = 163.1 ng/m 3 )). BC, often used as a diesel-emissions tracer, varied more than five-fold across sites. Vanadium (V), higher near the ports, varied more than 40-fold across sites. Concentrations of most combustion-related constituents were higher near heavy traffic, truck, or bus activity, and near the port. Wind speed modified absolute concentrations, and wind direction modified spatial patterns in concentrations (i.e., ports impacts were more notable with winds from the northeast).

Keywords: particle composition; spatial saturation; source identification; shipping emissions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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