An advanced method to evaluate population-weighted exposure of PM2.5-bound chromium (Cr): High-spatial resolved simulation of bioaccessible concentrations
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Chromium (Cr) in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses a significant environmental health risk. However, current exposure assessments are constrained by insufficient spatial resolution and the neglect of bioaccessible fractions (Bio-Cr). In this study, we developed an advanced method to evaluate high-spatial resolution population-weighted exposure of PM2.5-bound Cr and its bioaccessible fraction (Bio-Cr). By integrating the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model and Land Use Regression (LUR) model through an uncertainty-weighted approach, the coupled model overcomes the limitations of individual models. The method was applied to a Chinese megacity. It captured distinct spatial heterogeneity in Cr and Bio-Cr distributions, with hotspots aligning with industrial and high-traffic areas. The coupled model revealed a pronounced belt-like distribution of Cr concentrations in central urban areas, with a peak value of 0.016 μg/m3, and Bio-Cr concentrations were generally lower, reaching up to 0.011 μg/m3. The population-weighted exposure assessment indicated that high-exposure areas for both Cr and Bio-Cr were primarily located in densely populated urban districts, with exposure risks significantly exceeding the citywide average, highlighting the necessity of targeted pollution control strategies. Additionally, this study introduced a bioavailability species allocation coefficient for Bio-Cr simulation in CMAQ, providing a new perspective for simulating bioaccessible metal concentrations in chemical transport models. To our knowledge, this is the first study to integrate CMAQ and LUR models for high-resolution simulation of bioaccessible metal concentrations. The coupled model provided a framework for estimating bioaccessible heavy metal exposure, offered a scientific basis for epidemiological and health impact research.
期刊介绍:
Atmospheric Environment has an open access mirror journal Atmospheric Environment: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review.
Atmospheric Environment is the international journal for scientists in different disciplines related to atmospheric composition and its impacts. The journal publishes scientific articles with atmospheric relevance of emissions and depositions of gaseous and particulate compounds, chemical processes and physical effects in the atmosphere, as well as impacts of the changing atmospheric composition on human health, air quality, climate change, and ecosystems.