Source apportionment of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants near an urban roadside site using positive matrix factorization

Abstract

This paper presents results from a comprehensive study of source apportionment of particulate matter (PM) of size PM2.5 and PM10 near a busy highway in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Source apportionment was carried out using US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Positive Matrix Factorization model. Furthermore, backward trajectory analysis and Potential Source Contribution Function were used to assess air mass transport pathways and identify potential source regions, respectively. The results revealed six major sources for PM2.5, including traffic, sea salt, fugitive dust, secondary aerosols, heavy oil combustion and mineral dust. For PM10, four major sources were identified, including secondary aerosols, traffic, sea salt and mineral dust. Traffic emissions were found to be significant contributors to both PM2.5 and PM10 pollution, along with natural sources like sea salt and mineral dust. Backward trajectory analysis indicated the influence of different wind regimes on air mass transport, with contributions from regions like Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Oman and Iran. The Conditional Bivariate Probability Function analysis further explained the impact of local traffic emissions and other sources on PM pollution under varying wind conditions.