Characterization of atmospheric aerosols and source apportionment analyses in urban Harbin, northeast China

Abstract

Detailed knowledge of aerosol chemical characteristics and emission sources play a key role in climate and human health. In this study, we collected the atmospheric aerosol particles in urban Harbin, the northernmost provincial capital in northeast China, using an ambient sampler during the period from April to June 2017. Morphological and chemical composition analyses of collected particles were performed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), and a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersion spectrum (SEM-EDS). Emission sources of these aerosol particles were determined via an enrichment factor analysis and then their variation were further discussed. During the studying period, the atmospheric particles were mainly composed of organics, inorganic ions and oxides with 20 elements (i.e., C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, and S) observed. Among the detected elements, Cr, Ni, Cu, Br, and Zn were found to be enriched, indicating considerable anthropogenic influence during high pollution days. In early April, most of the aerosol particles were emitted from coal-fired boilers and coal-fired power plants; in early May, they mainly originated from soil dust and dust, traffic, and industry emissions; and in late May and June, traffic and industry became the major aerosol sources over Harbin.