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Characterizing PM2.5 in Beijing and Shanxi Province using terahertz radiation

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Abstract

Particles of aerodynamic diameter⩽2.5 μm (PM2.5) caused extremely severe and persistent haze pollution is of concern in many cities. In this study, samples of PM2.5 were collected from atmosphere environment of Beijing and Shanxi Province, and analyzed using terahertz (THz) radiation. The transmission spectrum of PM2.5 in Shanxi Province had two distinct absorption peaks at 6.0 and 6.7 THz, and the curve was increasing on the whole. However, the transmission spectrum of PM2.5 in Beijing had obviously different variation tendency and the absorption peak was studied by monitoring PM2.5 masses in conjunction with two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS). By comparing the pollutant species and concentrations of Shanxi Province and Beijing over the time of collecting samples, the concentrations of sulfate and ammonium were similar, which contributed to emerge absorption bands in the same position. While the concentrations of organic matter (OM), nitrate, chloride and elemental carbon (EC) were different. Furthermore, dust and some other inorganic ion are unique to Shanxi province, which lead to different variation tendency of the transmission spectrum of PM2.5. These results will be of importance for environmental monitoring and for controlling PM emissions. According to this research, optical techniques, and especially spectral methods, should be considered for PM2.5 monitoring.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Key Laboratory of Optical Detection Technology for Oil and Gas, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China

    Ning Li, Honglei Zhan & Kun Zhao

  2. Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, China

    Zhenwei Zhang, Chenyu Li & Cunlin Zhang

Authors
  1. Ning Li
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  2. Honglei Zhan
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  3. Kun Zhao
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  4. Zhenwei Zhang
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  5. Chenyu Li
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  6. Cunlin Zhang
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Honglei Zhan or Kun Zhao.

Additional information

Ning Li received the B.Sc. degree from the Tianjin University in 2014, and is currently working toward the Master degree in Optical Engineering at China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China. His research interest focus on the terahertz detection of pollutants.

Honglei Zhan received the B.Sc. degree from the Xiamen University in 2012, and is currently working toward the Ph.D. degree in Material Science and Engineering at China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China. His research interest focus on the nano petrophysics and terahertz metrology.

Kun Zhao received the B.Sc. degree in Physics from Nanjing University in 1992, the Master degree from Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1997, and the Ph.D. degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2001. He is currently a professor in optical engineering and the Head of Beijing Key Laboratory of Optical Detection Technology for Oil and Gas. His research interest is oil and gas optics.

Zhenwei Zhang received the B.Sc degree in 1999 and the Master degree in 2006 from Capital Normal University. He is an engineer, Master Tutor and the Senior manager of Key Laboratory of Terahertz Optoelectronics, Ministry of Education. His research interest is terahertz imaging and nondestructive testing.

Chenyu Li received the B.Sc. degree in Physics from Qiqihar University in 2012, the Master degree from Department of Physics, Capital Normal University in 2015, and is currently the Ph.D. candidate in Capital Normal University. Her research interest is terahertz spectroscopy and imaging.

Cunlin Zhang received the B.Sc. degree in Physics from Peking University, the Master degree from Department of Physics, Capital Normal University, and the Ph.D. degree from Beijing Institute of Technology in 1992. He is currently a professor in Capital Normal University and the Head of Key Laboratory of Terahertz Optoelectronics, Ministry of Education. His research interest is terahertz spectroscopy and imaging.

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Li, N., Zhan, H., Zhao, K. et al. Characterizing PM2.5 in Beijing and Shanxi Province using terahertz radiation. Front. Optoelectron. 9, 544–548 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12200-016-0608-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12200-016-0608-1

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