Size Distribution and Source Identification of Airborne Particulate Matter and Metallic Elements in a Typical Industrial City

Mai Tra Ny,Byeong-Kyu Lee

doi:10.5572/ajae.2010.4.1.009

Abstract

The size distribution of airborne particulate matter (PM) and the concentrations of associated metallic elements were investigated in a busy urban region of a typical Korean industrial city. The PM concentrations measured during the spring, except for those in the size range of 1.1 to 2.1 <TEX>${\mu}m$</TEX>, were slightly higher than the PM concentrations in the summer. Coarse particles contributed greatly to the variation in PM concentrations in the spring, while fine and submicron particles contributed largely to the variation in PM concentrations in the summer. The difference in size modes of the PM concentrations between spring and summer may be explained by the Asian dust effect and its accompanying wind direction and speed. Extremely high enrichment factors (EFs) values (6,971 to 60,966) for all of the size distributions in PM were identified for cadmium (Cd). High EFs values (12 to 907) were also identified for other heavy metals including Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Mn. Low EF values (0.29 to 8.61) were identified for Ca, K, Mg and Na. These results support the common hypothesis that most heavy metals in ambient PM have anthropogenic sources and most light metals have crustal sources. The results of principal components analyses and cluster analyses for heavy metals indicate that the principal sources of PM and metals were emissions from non-ferrous metal smelters, oil combustion, incinerators, vehicular traffic and road dust.

Highlights

Elevated ambient concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and metals are considered a significant risk to human health especially in urban areas where many mobile and stationary sources emit large quantities of pollutants into the environment
The PM collected during the spring sampling period was expected originate from a greater variety of sources than the PM collected in the summer when a southeastern series of winds prevailed
The presence of some western series of winds during the spring indicated that the PM collected during the spring would be affected by the Asian dust that usually originates from the west or northwest of the sampling site

Summary

Introduction

Elevated ambient concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and metals are considered a significant risk to human health especially in urban areas where many mobile and stationary sources emit large quantities of pollutants into the environment. Numerous studies have indicated an association between ambient PM concentrations and respiratory problems (Costa and Dreher, 1997; Hileman, 1981). Recent studies have shown that increased mortality and morbidity in the urban population is associated with increased PM and heavy metal concentrations in ambient air (Manoli et al, 2002; Dockery and Pope, 1994). Different sizes and compositions of particles can be associated with adverse effects on the environment and human health. The efficiency of inhalation and respiratory deposition of PM is dependent on particle size (Hinds, 1999). Analyzing the size distribution and components of PM helps to identify its risks to human health and inform appropriate methods for controlling PM emissions

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Conclusion