Chemical Compositions of PM2.5 at Two Non-Urban Sites from the Polluted Region in Europe

Barbara Blaszczak,Krzysztof Klejnowski,Patrycja Rogula-Kopiec,Katarzyna Juda-Rezler,Wioletta Rogula-Kozlowska,Barbara Mathews

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2015.09.0538

Abstract

The study presents the analysis of measurement results for the ambient mass concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_(2.5)), PM_(2.5)-bound carbonaceous matter (OC, EC) and water-soluble ions (Cl^-, NO3^-, SO_4^(2-), Na^+, NH_4^+, K^+, Ca^(2+), Mg^(2+)). The 24-h PM_(2.5) samples were collected in the heating and non-heating seasons at two regional background sites in Southern Poland in 2011-2013. The percentage of the secondary organic and inorganic matter in PM_(2.5) was calculated. Over the whole measurement period, the mean PM_(2.5) concentration was 31.56 μg m^(-3) and 24.92 μg m^(-3) in Raciborz and Zloty Potok, respectively. Regardless of the season, the total carbon percentage in PM_(2.5) was comparable at both sites and amounted ~40%. There were no visible seasonal variations in the secondary organic carbon (SOC) share in PM_(2.5). The mean percentage of the primary organic carbon (POC) in PM_(2.5) was higher than the SOC percentage at both locations. The mean contribution of the water-soluble ions in the PM_(2.5) mass was lower than the TC percentage, with values 20.35% (Zloty Potok) and 33.56% (Raciborz). The total share of the secondary ions (SO_4^(2-), NO_3^- and NH_4^+) in PM_(2.5) was comparable in both measurement periods. It was shown that PM_(2.5) at regional background sites in Southern Poland is significantly different than at similar stations across Europe. It is reflected by higher concentrations of PM_(2.5) and its main components and lower percentage of the secondary ions in the PM_(2.5) mass. The carbonaceous matter percentage in PM_(2.5) is higher than in other parts of Europe.

Highlights

IntroductionElemental carbon (EC), inorganic/carbonated carbon (IC/CC) and organic carbon (OC) constitute the total content of carbonaceous matter, i.e., total carbon (TC), in particulate matter (PM) (Seinfeld and Pandis, 2006)
The recent interest has been focused on the chemical composition of particulate matter (PM), especially carbonaceous fractions and water-soluble ions, as they have predominant contribution to the PM2.5 mass (Rogula-Kozłowska et al, 2014; Zhang et al, 2014; Zhao et al, 2015).Elemental carbon (EC), inorganic/carbonated carbon (IC/CC) and organic carbon (OC) constitute the total content of carbonaceous matter, i.e., total carbon (TC), in PM (Seinfeld and Pandis, 2006)
Observed PM2.5 concentrations at both regional background sites in Southern Poland are much higher than values from other stations of this type in Europe

Summary

Introduction

Elemental carbon (EC), inorganic/carbonated carbon (IC/CC) and organic carbon (OC) constitute the total content of carbonaceous matter, i.e., total carbon (TC), in PM (Seinfeld and Pandis, 2006). IC can be found in the crustal matter, present mainly in the coarse particles, so IC content. Organic aerosols make an important part of the PM mass. The EEA report (2013) shows that, on average, organic substances make ~30% of the PM2.5 concentration and ~20% of the PM10 concentration measured at regional background stations in Europe. The same report reveals that the secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) constitutes ~35% of the PM10 concentrations and ~50% of the PM2.5 concentrations. Sulphate (SO42–), nitrate (NO3–) and ammonium (NH4+) are reported to be the major SIA components (Deshmukh et al, 2010; Błaszczak et al, 2016)

Methods

Results

Conclusion