Abstract
Aerosol pollution episodes have frequently occurred in China in recent years, and the airborne trace elements in particulate matter have been a cause for concern worldwide because of their impacts on human health. However, there is limited information on the hourly variations of airborne trace elements. This paper describes a detailed investigation conducted in March 2013 on the hourly variations and potential sources of airborne trace elements. Trace elements in particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 μm (PM_(10)) were monitored on-line in four representative regions with similar latitudes in southeastern China. Our results showed that the number of species of elements in PM_(10) detected at urban sites and an industrial park was greater than that at a rural site, due to the influences of human activities. The hourly variation patterns of trace elements indicated that their concentrations were stable during the day at the rural site, whereas a visible ＂double peak＂ of Pb and Cu was observed in the tourist city and a ＂single morning peak＂ of Pb and As was seen in the industrial city. These variations indicated the abundant traffic in the tourist city, and strong industrial emissions in the industrial city. However, the single morning peak and the slight double peak patterns of the trace elements were both found at the industrial park, indicating a combined source of industry and traffic. The results from the source identification also indicated that the sources of airborne elements were mainly industrial emissions at industrial sites, whereas the elements in the tourist city might primarily result from traffic. The correlations between PM_(10) concentrations and trace element concentrations were also studied. The results revealed that PM_(10) correlated better with elements originating from natural sources (e.g., K, Ca, Fe) than with those from anthropogenic sources (e.g., Pb, Zn, Cu). Our results provide a scientific basis for pollution control strategies at these sites.
Highlights
Atmospheric pollution has become one of the top environmental issues in China due to the rapid industrialization and motorization in the past few decades
Our results showed that the number of species of elements in PM10 detected at urban sites and an industrial park was greater than that at a rural site, due to the influences of human activities
The hourly variation patterns of trace elements indicated that their concentrations were stable during the day at the rural site, whereas a visible “double peak” of Pb and Cu was observed in the tourist city and a “single morning peak” of Pb and As was seen in the industrial city
Summary
Atmospheric pollution has become one of the top environmental issues in China due to the rapid industrialization and motorization in the past few decades. Aerosols in the atmosphere can adversely affect human health via inhalation, especially in the urban environment (Poschl, 2005). As important components of aerosols, trace elements have been a cause for concern worldwide due to their impacts on the human health (Chapman et al, 1997; Ghio et al, 1999). Trace elements in atmospheric particulate matter are. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 14: 1986–1997, 2014. Elements mainly original from anthropogenic origins were called “anthropogenic elements”, such as Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Cr and Ni, etc. Elements mainly original from anthropogenic origins were called “anthropogenic elements”, such as Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Cr and Ni, etc. (Cong et al, 2011)
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