Abstract
ABSTRACTFairbanks, Alaska has some of the highest measured ambient PM2.5 concentrations in the United States, with wintertime levels often exceeding the 24-hour PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 35 µg/m3. In an effort to understand the sources of PM2.5 in the Fairbanks airshed, source apportionment using Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) modeling was conducted at four locations in Fairbanks over a three-winter period (2008/2009, 2009/2010, and 2010/2011). At each of the four sites, PM2.5 concentrations averaged between 22.5 ± 12.0 µg/m3 and 26.5 ± 18.9 µg/m3, with frequent exceedances of the 24-hour NAAQS on the scheduled sample days. The results of the CMB modeling revealed that wood smoke (likely residential wood combustion) was the major source of PM2.5 throughout the winter months in Fairbanks, contributing between 60% and nearly 80% of the measured PM2.5 at the four sites. The other sources of PM2.5 identified by the CMB model were secondary sulfate (8–20%), ammonium nitrate (3–11%), diesel exhaust (not detected-10%), and automobiles (not detected-7%). Approximately 1% of the PM2.55 was unexplained by the CMB model. Additional research is needed to confirm the woodsmoke results of the CMB model, as well as determine which sources (fuel oil residential heating, coal combustion, etc.) contribute to the measured secondary sulfate.
Highlights
Numerous studies have shown an association between PM2.5 exposure and adverse health effects
The results of the Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) modeling revealed that wood smoke was the major source of PM2.5 throughout the winter months in Fairbanks, contributing between 60% and nearly 80% of the measured PM2.5 at the four sites
1% of the PM2.5 was unexplained by the CMB model
Summary
Numerous studies have shown an association between PM2.5 exposure and adverse health effects. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) model is a receptor model commonly used for PM2.5 source apportionment, with CMB studies conducted in the U.S, and around the world (Subramanian et al, 2007; Stone et al, 2008; Kleeman et al, 2009; Gibson et al, 2009; Vega et al, 2009; Andriani et al, 2010; Yin et al, 2010; Roy et al, 2011; Rutter et al, 2011; Zheng et al, 2011). As the seat of the North Star Borough, Fairbanks, Alaska is the northernmost Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States. Average temperatures throughout the long winter months range from –19°F (–28°C) to 31.4°F (–0.3°C), with extreme low temperatures getting down to –60°F (–51°C)
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