Biomaterial Database

Measurements of nitrogen dioxide in Greenland using Palmes diffusion tubes. 2001

T S Hansen, and M Kruse, and H Nissen, and M Glasius, and C Lohse

University of Southern Denmark, Department of Chemistry, Odense M. tsh@chem.sdu.dk

Measurements of nitrogen dioxide using the Palmes diffusion tubes in Uummannaq, Aasiaat, and Nuuk. all located along the west-coast of Greenland, have demonstrated that the levels of pollution at the most heavily impacted sites are comparable to levels in much larger towns in Denmark. The highest concentrations were, in general, observed near sites influenced by car traffic (peak concentrations of up to 16 ppbv), medium concentrations were observed in the residential areas (2 6 ppbv), and very low levels were found at the background locations in the town outskirts (1-2 ppbv). Observations of nitrogen dioxide concentrations less than 0.1 ppbv at a remote site, Akia, 25 km from Nuuk, indicate that, compared to local sources, long-range transport of nitrogen dioxide is not important in western Greenland.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009585	Nitrogen Dioxide	Nitrogen oxide (NO2). A highly poisonous gas. Exposure produces inflammation of lungs that may only cause slight pain or pass unnoticed, but resulting edema several days later may cause death. (From Merck, 11th ed) It is a major atmospheric pollutant that is able to absorb UV light that does not reach the earth's surface.	Nitrogen Peroxide,Dioxide, Nitrogen,Peroxide, Nitrogen
D004058	Diffusion	The tendency of a gas or solute to pass from a point of higher pressure or concentration to a point of lower pressure or concentration and to distribute itself throughout the available space. Diffusion, especially FACILITATED DIFFUSION, is a major mechanism of BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT.	Diffusions
D004784	Environmental Monitoring	The monitoring of the level of toxins, chemical pollutants, microbial contaminants, or other harmful substances in the environment (soil, air, and water), workplace, or in the bodies of people and animals present in that environment.	Monitoring, Environmental,Environmental Surveillance,Surveillance, Environmental
D006116	Greenland	An island in Northern North America, between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada.	Kalaallit Nunaat
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000397	Air Pollution	The presence of contaminants or pollutant substances in the air (AIR POLLUTANTS) that interfere with human health or welfare, or produce other harmful environmental effects. The substances may include GASES; PARTICULATE MATTER; or volatile ORGANIC CHEMICALS.	Air Quality,Air Pollutions,Pollution, Air
D014505	Urban Population	The inhabitants of a city or town, including metropolitan areas and suburban areas.	Urban Residence,Urban Spatial Distribution,Distribution, Urban Spatial,Distributions, Urban Spatial,Population, Urban,Populations, Urban,Residence, Urban,Urban Populations,Urban Residences,Urban Spatial Distributions
D018986	Motor Vehicles	AUTOMOBILES, trucks, buses, or similar engine-driven conveyances. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	Armored Vehicles,Tanks,Buses,Trucks,Armored Vehicle,Motor Vehicle,Tank,Truck,Vehicle, Armored,Vehicle, Motor,Vehicles, Armored,Vehicles, Motor