Abstract
Fine particulate matter (PM) originates from various emission sources and physicochemical processes. Quantification of the sources of PM is an important step during the planning of efficient mitigation strategies and the investigation of the potential risks to human health. Usually, source apportionment studies focus either on the organic or on the inorganic fraction of PM. In this study that took place in Patras, Greece, we address both PM fractions by combining measurements from a range of on- and off-line techniques, including elemental composition, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) measurements, and high-resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometry (AMS) from different techniques. Six fine PM2.5 sources were identified based on the off-line measurements: secondary sulfate (34%), biomass burning (15%), exhaust traffic emissions (13%), nonexhaust traffic emissions (12%), mineral dust (10%), and sea salt (5%). The analysis of the AMS spectra quantified five factors: two oxygenated organic aerosols (OOA) factors (an OOA and a marine-related OOA, 52% of the total organic aerosols (OA)), cooking OA (COA, 11%) and two biomass burning OA (BBOA-I and BBOA-II, 37% in total) factors. The results of the two methods were synthesized, showcasing the complementarity of the two methodologies for fine PM source identification. The synthesis suggests that the contribution of biomass burning is quite robust, but that the exhaust traffic emissions are not due to local sources and may also include secondary OA from other sources.
Highlights
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) has serious adverse effects on human health and the environment [1,2,3,4]
Most receptor models are based on the assumption that at the receptor site, the time dependence of the concentration of PM components originating from the same source will be the same
In the current study that took place in Patras, Greece, we focus on both the sources of organic and inorganic fractions using appropriate measurement techniques
Summary
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) has serious adverse effects on human health and the environment [1,2,3,4]. The process of identifying PM sources is called source apportionment and there is a wide range of methods that have been proposed based on the available measurements [6]. A widely used source apportionment approach is the use of various types of source-receptor models [7,8,9,10,11]. Most receptor models are based on the assumption that at the receptor site, the time dependence of the concentration of PM components originating from the same source will be the same. The concentrations of the relevant PM chemical components are measured in a large number of samples gathered at the receptor site over time. It is assumed that each factor is associated with a source or source
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
