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Analysis of PM2.5 concentrations under pollutant emission control strategies in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil

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Abstract

Great efforts have been made over the years to assess the effectiveness of air pollution controls in place in the metropolitan area of São Paulo (MASP), Brazil. In this work, the community multiscale air quality (CMAQ) model was used to evaluate the efficacy of emission control strategies in MASP, considering the spatial and temporal variability of fine particle concentration. Seven different emission scenarios were modeled to assess the relationship between the emission of precursors and ambient aerosol concentration, including a baseline emission inventory, and six sensitivity scenarios with emission reductions in relation to the baseline inventory: a 50% reduction in SO2 emissions; no SO2 emissions; a 50% reduction in SO2, NOx, and NH3 emissions; no sulfate (PSO4) particle emissions; no PSO4 and nitrate (PNO3) particle emissions; and no PNO3 emissions. Results show that ambient PM2.5 behavior is not linearly dependent on the emission of precursors. Variation levels in PM2.5 concentrations did not correspond to the reduction ratios applied to precursor emissions, mainly due to the contribution of organic and elemental carbon, and other secondary organic aerosol species. Reductions in SO2 emissions are less likely to be effective at reducing PM2.5 concentrations at the expected rate in many locations of the MASP. The largest reduction in ambient PM2.5 was obtained with the scenario that considered a reduction in 50% of SO2, NOx, and NH3 emissions (1 to 2 μg/m3 on average). It highlights the importance of considering the role of secondary organic aerosols and black carbon in the design of effective policies for ambient PM2.5 concentration control.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 31270-901, Brazil

    Taciana T. de A. Albuquerque, Willian L. Andreão, Fábio S. dos Santos, Felipe Marinho Maciel & Rizzieri Pedruzzi

  2. Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, 29075-910, Brazil

    Taciana T. de A. Albuquerque, Vitor de O. Mateus & Davidson M. Moreira

  3. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA

    Jason West

  4. University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-090, Brazil

    Maria de F. Andrade & Rita Y. Ynoue

  5. Federal Technological University of Paraná, Londrina, 86036-370, Brazil

    Jorge A. Martins & Leila D. Martins

  6. SENAI CIMATEC, Salvador, 41650-010, Brazil

    Erick G. S. Nascimento & Davidson M. Moreira

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  1. Taciana T. de A. Albuquerque
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  2. Jason West
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  3. Maria de F. Andrade
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Correspondence to Taciana T. de A. Albuquerque.

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de A. Albuquerque, T.T., West, J., de F. Andrade, M. et al. Analysis of PM2.5 concentrations under pollutant emission control strategies in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 33216–33227 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06447-6

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