Ambient PM2.5, soot, black carbon and organic carbon levels in Kimberley, South Africa

Authors

  • Delene Becker School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4212-9863
  • Anna Alfeus School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa and Department of Public Health, School of Nursing and Public health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Oshakati, Namibia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1594-216X
  • Peter Molnár Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1504-3092
  • Johan Boman Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Atmospheric Science Division, University of Gothenburg, Sweden https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9862-4126
  • Janine Wichmann School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3008-3463

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/caj/2024/34/2.20100

Keywords:

PM2.5, soot, Black carbon (BC), Organic carbon (OC)

Abstract

Purpose: Ambient air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is a major threat to human health and the environment. South Africa faces a burden of PM2.5 exposure, leading to non-communicable diseases and premature mortality. International and national organisations have set air quality guidelines to protect public health. Although studies indicate that compliance with these guidelines carries some risk, meeting them can substantially reduce premature mortality rates. Several studies in different South African regions have highlighted the challenges of PM2.5 pollution, emphasising the importance of monitoring air quality and implementing mitigation measures. This study aims to provide valuable data on the air quality in Kimberley.

Results: 24-hour PM2.5 filter samples were collected manually every sixth day from 25 March 2021 to 25 January 2022 in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The mean PM2.5 concentration recorded in Kimberley was 6.3 μg/m3 (range: 0.7 – 25 μg/m3), slightly exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) annual air quality guideline of 5 μg/m3. Additionally, the daily WHO guideline of 15 μg/m3 was exceeded on three occasions during the sampling period. The average soot (absorption coefficient), black carbon and organic carbon levels were 0.46 m-1 x 10-5, 0.6 μg/m3 and 0.4 μg/m3, respectively. Six geographic origins of air masses were identified after clustering 4476 generated 72-hour backward trajectories: North West (NW), North (N), East (E), South West (SW), South (S) and Long-range Indian Ocean (LRIO), suggesting diverse long-range transported air pollution from distant source areas.

Conclusions: This study is the first of its kind in Kimberley and provides valuable information on PM2.5, soot, black carbon and organic carbon levels and the geographic origin of air masses that passed the sampling site. The findings indicate that the city's PM2.5 pollution poses a risk to human health. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2024-12-23

Issue

Section

Research Article

How to Cite

Ambient PM2.5, soot, black carbon and organic carbon levels in Kimberley, South Africa. (2024). Clean Air Journal, 34(2). https://doi.org/10.17159/caj/2024/34/2.20100