2010

@article{doi:10.1021/es1001242,
title = {Distribution of n-Alkanes in the Northern Italy Aerosols: Data Handling of GC-MS Signals for Homologous Series Characterization},
author = {Pietrogrande, M. C. and Mercuriali, M. and Perrone, M. G. and Ferrero, L. and Sangiorgi, G. and Bolzacchini, E.},
url = {http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es1001242},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Environmental Science & Technology},
volume = {44},
number = {11},
pages = {4232-4240},
abstract = {The paper describes the characterization of n-alkane homologous series present in PM samples performed by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry analysis. The PM samples were collected in three locations in northern Italy: Milan, a large urban area, Oasi Bine, a rural site far from big city centers, and Alpe San Colombano, a remote, high altitude site in the Alps. They represent different particle sizes (PM1, PM2.5, PM10) and seasons (summer, fall, and winter). The analyzed samples were characterized in terms of PM total mass, total concentration of C20−C32 n-alkanes and carbon preference index, CPI, to quantify the relative abundance of odd versus even n-alkanes. As alternative to the conventional method based on peak integration, a chemometric approach based on autocovariance function (EACVF) computation was found reliable to characterize the homologous series. In particular two parameters have proven useful chemical markers for tracking the biogenic and anthropogenic origins of n-alkanes: CPIEACVF and series %, estimating the % n-alkanes abundance relative to total alkane concentration. The investigated samples display a large variation in the n-alkanes relative abundance: the lowest values (series % = 1−14%) were found in summer and the highest (series % = 24−48%) in winter. In addition, a considerable seasonal variation of CPIEACVF values can be identified for all the sampling sites: the CPIEACVF values are close to 1 (CPIEACVF = 0.8−1.2) in the cold seasons, revealing a strong contribution from anthropogenic emissions, while spreader values (CPIEACVF = 0.9−3) were found in the warm season, that is, reflecting a variable contribution from biogenic sources in combination with anthropogenic emissions.},
note = {PMID: 20450188},
keywords = {}
}

@article{acp-10-3915-2010,
title = {Vertically-resolved particle size distribution within and above the mixing layer over the Milan metropolitan area},
author = {Ferrero, L. and Perrone, M. G. and Petraccone, S. and Sangiorgi, G. and Ferrini, B. S. and Lo Porto, C. and Lazzati, Z. and Cocchi, D. and Bruno, F. and Greco, F. and Riccio, A. and Bolzacchini, E.},
url = {http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/10/3915/2010/},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics},
volume = {10},
number = {8},
pages = {3915--3932},
abstract = {Vertical aerosol profiles were directly measured over the city of Milan during three years (2005–2008) of field campaigns. An optical particle counter, a portable meteorological station and a miniaturized cascade impactor were deployed on a tethered balloon. More than 300 vertical profiles were measured, both in winter and summer, mainly in conditions of clear, dry skies.

The mixing height was determined from the observed vertical aerosol concentration gradient, and from potential temperature and relative humidity profiles. Results show that inter-consistent mixing heights can be retrieved highlighting good correlations between particle dispersion in the atmosphere and meteorological parameters. Mixing height growth speed was calculated for both winter and summer showing the low potential atmospheric dispersion in winter.

Aerosol number size distribution and chemical composition profiles allowed us to investigate particle behaviour along height. Aerosol measurements showed changes in size distribution according to mixing height. Coarse particle profiles (dp>1.6 μm) were distributed differently than the fine ones (dp<1.6 μm) were, at different heights of the mixing layer. The sedimentation process influenced the coarse particle profiles, and led to a reduction in mean particle diameter for those particles observed by comparing data above the mixing height with ground data (−14.9±0.6% in winter and −10.7±1.0% in summer). Conversely, the mean particle diameter of fine particles increased above the mixing height under stable atmospheric conditions; the average increase, observed by comparing data above the mixing height with ground data, was +2.1±0.1% in winter and +3.9±0.3% in summer. A hierarchical statistical model was created to describe the changes in the size distribution of fine particles along height. The proposed model can be used to estimate the typical vertical profile characterising launches within pre-specified groups starting from: aerosol size and meteorological conditions measured at ground-level, and a mixing height estimation. The average increase of fine particle diameter, estimated on the basis of the model, was +1.9±0.5% in winter and +6.1±1.2% in summer, in keeping with experimental findings.},
keywords = {}
}

@article{Gualtieri201029,
title = {Differences in cytotoxicity versus pro-inflammatory potency of different PM fractions in human epithelial lung cells},
author = {Maurizio Gualtieri and Johan Øvrevik and Jørn A. Holme and M. Grazia Perrone and Ezio Bolzacchini and Per E. Schwarze and Marina Camatini},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S088723330900280X},
issn = {0887-2333},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Toxicology in Vitro},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {29 - 39},
abstract = {Air pollution in Milan causes health concern due to the high concentrations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). The aim of this study was to investigate possible seasonal differences in PM10 and PM2.5 chemical composition and their biological effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine release and cytotoxicity. The PM was sampled during winter and summer seasons. The winter PMs had higher levels of PAHs than the summer samples which contained a greater amount of mineral dust elements. The PM toxicity was tested in the human pulmonary epithelial cell lines BEAS-2B and A549. The winter PMs were more cytotoxic than summer samples, whereas the summer PM10 exhibited a higher pro-inflammatory potential, as measured by ELISA. This inflammatory potential seemed partly due to biological components such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), as evaluated by the use of Polymixin B. Interestingly, in the BEAS-2B cells the winter PM2.5 reduced proliferation due to a mitotic delay/arrest, while no such effects were observed in the A549 cells. These results underline that the in vitro responsiveness to PM may be cell line dependent and suggest that the PM different properties may trigger different endpoints such as inflammation, perturbation of cell cycle and cell death.},
keywords = {}
}

@article{Perrone20101368,
title = {Seasonal variations in chemical composition and in vitro biological effects of fine PM from Milan},
author = {Maria Grazia Perrone and Maurizio Gualtieri and Luca Ferrero and Claudia Lo Porto and Roberto Udisti and Ezio Bolzacchini and Marina Camatini},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653510000020},
issn = {0045-6535},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Chemosphere},
volume = {78},
number = {11},
pages = {1368 - 1377},
abstract = {Fine particulate matter (PM1 and PM2.5) was collected in Milan over the summer (August–September) and winter (January–March) seasons of 2007/2008. Particles were analyzed for their chemical composition (inorganic ions, elements and PAHs) and the effects produced on the human lung carcinoma epithelial cell line A549. In vitro tests were performed to assess cell viability with MTT assay, cytokine release (IL-6 and IL-8) with ELISA, and DNA damage with COMET assay. Results were investigated by bivariate analysis and multivariate data analysis (Principal Component Analysis, PCA) to investigate the relationship between PM chemical composition and the biological effects produced by cell exposure to 12 μg cm−2. The different seasonal chemical composition of PM showed to influence some biological properties. Summer PM samples had a high mass contribution of SO 4 = (13 ± 2%) and were enriched in some elements, like Al, As, Cr, Cu, and Zn, compared to winter PM samples. Cell viability reduction was two times higher for summer PM samples in comparison with winter ones (27 ± 5% and 14 ± 5%, respectively), and the highest correlation coefficients between cell viability reduction and single chemical components were with As (R2 = 0.57) and SO 4 = (R2 = 0.47). PM1 affected cell viability reduction and induced IL-8 release, and these events were interrelated (R2 = 0.95), and apparently connected with the same chemical compounds. PM2.5 fraction, which was enriched in Ca++ and Mg++ (from soil dust), and Al, Fe, Zn, Ba Mn, produced cell viability reduction and DNA damage (R2 = 0.73).},
keywords = {}
}