Application of Positive Matrix Factorization Receptor Model for Source Identification of PM10 in the City of Sofia, Bulgaria

Elena Hristova,Hristomir Branzov,Blagorodka Veleva,Emilia Georgieva

doi:10.3390/atmos11090890

Abstract

The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model is used for identification of source contributions to PM10 sampled during the period January 2019–January 2020 in Sofia. More than 200 filters were analyzed by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and Ion chromatography for chemical elements and soluble ions. Seasonal patterns of PM10 mass and elements’ concentration are observed with minimum in the summer months and maximum in the cold period. The results from source apportionment (SAP) study showed that the resuspension factor is the main contributor to the total PM10 mass (25%), followed by Biomass burning (BB) (23%), Mixed SO42− (19%), Sec (16%), Traffic (TR) (9%), Industry (IND) (4%), Nitrate rich (4%), and Fuel oil burning (FUEL) (0.4%) in Sofia. There are some similarities in relative contribution of the main factors compared to the years 2012–2013. The differences are in identification of the new factor described as mixed sulphate as well as the decrease of the FUEL factor. The results of comparing SAP with EPA PMF 5.0 and chemical transport models (CTM), given by Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, are presented and discussed for the first time for Bulgaria.

Highlights

Urban air pollution is the 10th most important risk factor for human health in the middle and high-developed countries according to the World Health Organization [1]
In a number of European countries, the main problem with air pollution in cities is related to exceedances of limit values for nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter (PM) [2]
The mean annual PM10 concentrations and the number of exceedances measured by Automatic

Summary

Introduction

Urban air pollution is the 10th most important risk factor for human health in the middle and high-developed countries according to the World Health Organization [1]. In a number of European countries, the main problem with air pollution in cities is related to exceedances of limit values for nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter (PM) [2]. Air particulates are emitted into the atmosphere by a number of anthropogenic sources such as energy, industry, road transport, the burning of various solid and liquid fuels, and waste incineration. Natural sources, such as resuspension and erosion of soils, marine aerosols and volcanic eruptions, and formation of secondary particles by biogenic emissions, can be significant depending on the region [3]. Fine PM is deposited in the respiratory tract where they cause inflammations and diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular system [1,4]

Methods

Results

Conclusion