Characterization of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in an urban area in Amman by PIXE, PESA, optical and gravimetric measurements

Abstract

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) samples in two fractions (PM2.5 and PM10) were collected simultaneously on Teflon filters in an urban area in Amman, Jordan. Gravimetric and light absorption measurements were performed to calculate total mass and black carbon concentrations, respectively. Two ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques were employed to obtain elemental characterization: particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and particle elastic scattering analysis (PESA). Chemical components (particulate organic matter, sea salt, ammonium sulfate and soil) were estimated and mass reconstruction was performed. The average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were 20 ± 9 µg/m3 and 40 ± 19 µg/m3, respectively. It was shown that soil was the dominant component in coarse particulates, fine particulates were dominated by ammonium sulfate, black carbon was more abundant in fine particulates (about 20 %), and sea salt was a minor source (1–2 %) in both fractions.