Abstract

PM2.5 and PM10 samples were collected simultaneously in each season in Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang to identify the characteristics of water-soluble ion compositions in the North China Plain. The water-soluble ions displayed significant seasonal variation. The dominant ions were NO3 −, SO4 2−, NH4 + and Cl−, accounting for more than 90% and 86% to the mass of total water-soluble ions in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. The anion/cation ratio indicated that the ion acidity of each city varied both between sites and seasonally. Over 50% of the ion species were enriched in small particles ≤1 µm in diameter. The [NO3 −]/[SO4 2−] ratio indicated that vehicles accounted for the majority of the particulate pollution in Beijing. Shijiazhuang, a city highly reliant on coal combustion, had a higher SO4 2− concentration.

Highlights

  • Particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere originates from either direct emission or physical and chemical transformation of gaseous pollutants [1,2,3]

  • Significant seasonal variation in the water-soluble compositions of PM2.5 and PM10 were identified in each city (Table 2)

  • The concentrations of water-soluble ions in both PM2.5 and PM10 displayed a significant variation with season, in the order spring. winter. summer. autumn

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Summary

Introduction

Particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere originates from either direct emission or physical and chemical transformation of gaseous pollutants [1,2,3]. Air quality has become an increasing public health concern since a series of heavy pollutions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particles #2.5 mm in diameter) occurred in Beijing in 2011 winter. The majority of research on this region has focused on the composition [25], seasonal variation [26] and source of the particulate matter [27]. A few studies addressed PM concentrations across the major cities in North China Plain [36] These studies seldom referred to the national atmospheric background status at the same period. Program in 2013, focuses on the water-soluble ion compositions and their variation in particulate matter in 3 metropolises in North China area. Data from national atmospheric background sites are referred at the same sampling periods

Sampling
Analysis
Seasonal variation of total water-soluble ions
Ionic species
Ion enrichment in particulate matter of various sizes
Secondary ions
Conclusion

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