Components of matter
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Components of Matter: A Comprehensive Overview
Chemical Components of Particulate Matter (PM)
Major Chemical Components in Urban Air
Particulate matter (PM) in urban environments is composed of various chemical components, including inorganic ions, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and metals. These components are crucial for understanding PM distribution, behavior, and source apportionment. Studies have shown that the major chemical components (MCP) of PM can account for a significant portion of total suspended particles (TSP), with anions, OC, cations, EC, and metals being the most abundant3.
Health Impacts of PM Components
The health effects of PM are significantly influenced by its chemical composition. Research indicates that specific components, such as elemental and organic carbon, are strongly associated with adverse health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and premature death1 6. Toxicological studies have also identified elements like aluminum, silicon, vanadium, and nickel as closely linked to health impacts6.
Condensable Particulate Matter (CPM)
Condensable particulate matter (CPM) has a complex composition, including organic components like alkanes, esters, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, and ketones, as well as inorganic components such as sulfates, chlorides, nitrates, and various metals. These components pose significant environmental and health risks, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)7.
Biological Components of Particulate Matter
Role in Health Outcomes
Biological components of PM, such as bacteria, viruses, and pollen, also contribute to health risks. These components can exacerbate respiratory and pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and other non-communicable diseases. The synergistic effects of biological and chemical constituents of PM are critical in understanding the full scope of health impacts1.
Dark Matter Components
Multi-Component Dark Matter Models
In the realm of astrophysics, dark matter is hypothesized to consist of multiple stable states with different mass scales. These multi-component models suggest that dark matter could include particles like sterile neutrinos, which interact primarily with leptons, and lighter components that might be detectable in low-threshold experiments2.
Natural Organic Matter (NOM)
Hierarchical Self-Assembling Properties
Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex system composed of non-amphiphilic, amphiphilic, and lipid fractions. These components self-assemble into hierarchical structures, which are essential for understanding the mechanisms governing NOM behavior. Studies have shown that the self-assembly processes of humic acid and humin, two key NOM components, are influenced by their concentration and chemical nature4.
Structural Components in Freshwater DOM
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in freshwater systems, such as Lake Ontario, includes carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM), heteropolysaccharides, and aromatic compounds. These components are crucial for environmental processes like the global carbon cycle and the fate of chemical pollutants. The bulk of freshwater DOM is suggested to be aliphatic, derived from cyclic and linear terpenoids10.
Conclusion
Understanding the components of matter, from particulate matter in urban air to the complex structures of natural organic matter and the hypothesized multi-component nature of dark matter, is essential for advancing our knowledge in environmental science, health, and astrophysics. The intricate interplay of chemical and biological components in particulate matter highlights the need for comprehensive studies to inform effective policy and management strategies. Similarly, the exploration of dark matter components and the self-assembling properties of natural organic matter opens new avenues for research and technological innovation.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Health Outcomes of Exposure to Biological and Chemical Components of Inhalable and Respirable Particulate Matter
Both biological and chemical components of inhalable and respirable particulate matter contribute to health effects, highlighting the need for effective management strategies to improve outdoor air quality.
Systematic Review
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedMulti-Component Dark Matter
Multi-component dark matter models can explain PAMELA, ATIC, and synchrotron signals, while also potentially explaining the DAMA signal and light dark matter searches.
Highly CitedAn investigation into the relationship between the major chemical components of particulate matter in urban air.
Urban air contains a consistent relationship between major chemical components, but environmental conditions may alter this balance.
Observational StudyHierarchical self-assembling properties of natural organic matter’s components
The hierarchical self-assembling mechanism of natural organic matter (NOM) is characteristic of its components, with humic acid showing positive self-assembly properties and humin showing negative self-assembly properties.
Attributing health effects to individual particulate matter constituents
Carbon-containing PM2.5 components are most strongly associated with adverse health outcomes, but there is no single component that is unaffected.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedReview of hazardous materials in condensable particulate matter
Condensable particulate matter (CPM) contains toxic organic components and inorganic components, posing significant environmental threats and requiring effective control methods.
Literature ReviewActive matter at the interface between materials science and cell biology
Active matter research can revolutionize our understanding of cell biology and materials science, leading to the design of artificial materials with life-like properties.
Highly CitedParticulate matter chemical component concentrations and sources in settings of household solid fuel use
Solid fuel combustion in low- and middle-income settings contributes significantly to particulate matter concentrations and composition, impacting human health and climate.
Systematic ReviewRigorous JournalMajor structural components in freshwater dissolved organic matter.
Major structural components in Lake Ontario's dissolved organic matter include carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules, heteropolysaccharides, and aromatic compounds, with linear terpenoids potentially being major precursors.
Highly Cited