Source Characterization and Apportionment of PM10, PM2.5 and PM0.1 by Using Positive Matrix Factorization

Balakrishnaiah Gugamsetty,Chung-Fang Chen,Amit Awasthi,Chuen-Jinn Tsai,Shih-Chieh Hsu,Chun-Nan Liu,Gwo-Dong Roam,Han Wei,Yue-Chuen Wu

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2012.04.0084

Abstract

Ambient Particulate Matters (PM10, PM2.5 and PM0.1) were investigated at Shinjung station in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Samples were collected simultaneously using a dichotomous sampler (Andersen Model SA-241) and a MOUDI (MSP Model 110) over a 24-h period from May 2011 to November 2011 at Shinjung station. Samples were analyzed for metallic trace elements using ion coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and ionic compounds by ion chromatography (IC). The average concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and PM0.1 were found to be 39.45 ± 11.58, 21.82 ± 7.50 and 1.42 ± 0.56 μg/m3, respectively. Based on the chemical information, positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to identify PM sources. A total of five source types were identified, soil dust, vehicle emissions, sea salt, industrial emissions and secondary aerosols, and their contributions were estimated using PMF. The crustal enrichment factors (EF) were calculated using Al as a reference for the trace metal species to identify the sources. Conditional probability functions (CPF) were computed using wind profiles and factor contributions. The results of CPF analysis were used to identify local point sources. The results suggest a competitive relationship between anthropogenic and natural source processes over the monitoring station.

Highlights

The role of particulate matter (PM) in climate change has long been recognized (IPCC, 2007), and aerosols can adversely affect human health via inhalation, especially in the urban environment (Khan et al, 2010; Kim et al, 2011)
PM10 particles mainly originate from sea salt, soil dust resuspension, construction/demolition, non-exhaust vehicle emissions, and industrial fugitives, whereas PM2.5 and PM0.1 particles are mainly produced by combustion processes, forest fires and transformation of gaseous species
Elemental Concentrations The elemental concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and PM0.1 are shown in Fig. 2, in which elements are divided into three groups: crustal aerosols, anthropogenic aerosols and ionic compounds

Summary

Introduction

The role of particulate matter (PM) in climate change has long been recognized (IPCC, 2007), and aerosols can adversely affect human health via inhalation, especially in the urban environment (Khan et al, 2010; Kim et al, 2011). Epidemiological studies show different associations between adverse health effects and particles with aerodynamic diameters of less than 2.5 ȝm (PM2.5) and less than 10 ȝm (PM10) (Barmpadimos et al, 2011; Mcbride et al, 2011). Several studies show that ambient particulate pollution is associated with certain health and environmental effects (Choosong et al, 2010; Ning et al, 2010; Wang et al, 2012). The organic components of atmospheric aerosols play an important role in particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 1 ȝm (fine mode). A reliable quantitative estimation of PM2.5 and PM10 is

Methods

Results

Conclusion