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Inorganic fly-ash spheres as pollution tracers
1Environmental Change Research Centre, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, UK, WC1H 0AP.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Inorganic ash spheres (IAS) in UK sediments mirror trends of carbonaceous particles, indicating their utility as environmental pollution indicators. IAS concentrations correlate with sulfur levels, further validating their use in tracking historical pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Pollution Monitoring
Background:
- Fly-ash particles, specifically inorganic ash spheres (IAS), are prevalent in areas with high acid deposition.
- Limited environmental research has focused on the IAS component of fly ash.
- Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCP) are established indicators of combustion-related pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial and temporal trends of IAS in the UK.
- To assess the potential of IAS as an environmental pollution indicator.
- To compare IAS trends with those of SCP and sulfur deposition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of IAS and SCP in UK sediment cores.
- Characterization of SCP to identify fuel types.
- Comparison of IAS:SCP ratios with historical fuel consumption data.
- Correlation analysis between IAS concentrations and measured/modelled sulfur levels.
Main Results:
- IAS exhibited spatial and temporal trends similar to SCP in the UK.
- A continuous background of IAS was observed in the sediment record.
- IAS:SCP ratios aligned with historical fuel-type changes and consumption records.
- IAS concentrations in lake sediments significantly correlated with sulfur levels.
Conclusions:
- IAS serves as a valuable paleoenvironmental indicator, mirroring SCP trends.
- The IAS:SCP ratio provides insights into historical fuel usage and combustion processes.
- IAS concentrations are linked to atmospheric sulfur deposition, reinforcing their role in pollution studies.