Compositions of Particles from Selected Sources in Philadelphia for Receptor Modeling Applications

Abstract

As a part of a receptor model study of the Philadelphia, PA atmosphere, particulate samples were collected from seven air pollution sources in the area: two oil-fired power plants, a coal-fired power plant, a fluidized catalytic cracker, a refuse incinerator, a secondary aluminum smelter and an antimony ore roaster. Samples were collected in two size fractions with a dilution source sampler connected to a modified dichotomous sampler. Masses of collected material were determined gravimetrically. Samples were analyzed for elements by x-ray fluorescence followed by instrumental neutron activation analysis of some samples. Other samples were analyzed by chemical methods for volatile and nonvolatile carbon, SO/sub 4//sup 2/minus// and NH/sub 4//sup +/. Data are presented for up to 46 elements and species on fine (<2.5- ..mu..m aerodynamic equivalent diameter) and coarse (2.5 ..mu..m < diam < 7-10 ..mu..m) particles from each source. Although the data were collected for use in Philadelphia, they should be of value for receptor modeling of other areas having similar sources. The most unexpected results were the large amounts of rare earth elements on particles from the catalytic cracker and the oil-fired power plants. Substantial amounts of primary SO/sub 4//sup 2/minus// are released from the oil-fired plants, themore » SO/sub 4//sup 2/minus// concentrations accounting for 40-45 percent of the fine particulate mass.« less