Determination of sources of fine particles in different ambient atmospheres in South Korea using a chemical mass balance model

Abstract

To determine the sources of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5 in different ambient atmospheres (urban, roadside, industrial, and rural sites), the chemical components of PM2.5 such as ions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), carbonaceous species, and elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn) were measured. The average mass concentrations of PM2.5 at the urban, roadside, industrial, and rural sites were 31.5 ± 14.8, 31.6 ± 22.3, 31.4 ± 16.0, and 25.8 ± 12.4 μg/m3, respectively. Except for secondary ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate, the model results showed that the traffic source (i.e., the sum of gasoline and diesel vehicle sources) was the most dominant source of PM2.5 (17.1%) followed by biomass burning (13.8%) at the urban site. The major primary sources of PM2.5 were consistent with the site characteristics (diesel vehicle source at the roadside site, coal-fired plants at the industrial site, and biomass burning at the rural site). Seasonal data from the urban site suggested that ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate were the most dominant sources of PM2.5 during all seasons. Further, the contribution of road dust source to PM2.5 increased during spring and fall seasons. We conclude that the determination of the major PM2.5 sources is useful for establishing efficient control strategies for PM2.5 in different regions and seasons.