Impact of Municipal, Road Traffic, and Natural Sources on PM10: The Hourly Variability at a Rural Site in Poland

Tomasz Mach,Grzegorz Majewski,Wioletta Rogula-Kozłowska,Karolina Bralewska,Justyna Rybak,Patrycja Rogula-Kopiec

doi:10.3390/en14092654

Abstract

The paper presents data from a monthly campaign studying the elemental composition of PM10, as measured by a specific receptor in Kotórz Mały (Opole Voivodeship)—located in the vicinity of a moderately inhabited rural area—measured in one-hour samples using a Horiba PX-375 analyzer. The hourly variability of SO2, NO, NO2, CO, and O3 concentrations, as well as the variability of meteorological parameters, was also determined. On average, during the entire measurement period, the elements related to PM10 can be arranged in the following order: As < V < Ni < Pb < Cr < Mn < Cu < Ti < Zn < K < Fe < Ca < Al < Si < S. Trace elements, including toxic elements—such as As, V, Ni, Pb, Cr, and Mn—were present in low concentrations, not exceeding 10 ng/m3 (average daily value). These elements had fairly even concentrations, both daily and hourly. The concentrations of the main elements in the PM10, as measured by the receptor, are subject to strong hourly changes related not only to changes in the structures of the sources identified in the statistical analysis, but also to wind speed and direction changes (soil and sand particle pick-up and inflow of pollutants from coal combustion). It has been shown that the transport emissions measured by the receptor can have an intense effect on PM10 in the afternoon.

Highlights

IntroductionData on element concentrations of Particulate matter (PM) are used to evaluate the origin of PM for two main reasons: First, excluding light elements—mainly carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur—most of the elements that form PM, under atmospheric conditions, occur in chemically stable compounds
Taking advantage of the fact that the elemental composition of Particulate matter (PM) leaving the emission source is more or less defined, the information about it can be used to define the origin of PM in almost any area
This paper presents and analyses data from a monthly measurement campaign studying the elemental composition of PM10 measured in one-hour samples

Summary

Introduction

Data on element concentrations of PM are used to evaluate the origin of PM for two main reasons: First, excluding light elements—mainly carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur—most of the elements that form PM, under atmospheric conditions, occur in chemically stable compounds. These compounds, along with PM particles, are transported from the emitters to the receptor in more or less the same chemical form, and in amounts that strictly depend on the number of PM particles emitted by the emitters containing these elements [6,7,8,9]. Lead has been successfully applied as a marker for PM emissions from petrol combustion in car engines [17,18,19]

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Conclusion