Source identification of water-insoluble single particulate matters in rain sequences

Abstract

In this study, eight independent rainfall events were sampled sequentially from September 20, 2019 to June 15, 2020, in Bartın province located on the western Black Sea coast of Turkey. Manually collected volume-based sequential samples were analyzed for pH and water-soluble ions involving F−, Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, PO43−, Na+, K+, NH4+, Mg2+, and Ca2+. Total trace and major elements (sum of soluble and insoluble fractions), and elemental and organic carbons (EC and OC) contents of the sequential samples were measured. Water-insoluble particulate matter in the sequential samples were characterized for their sizes, morphologies, and compositions by using Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and a particle size analyzer. Results of SEM-EDS, particle size distributions, chemical analyses, and the upper atmospheric back trajectories were used to apportion the sources of the water-insoluble single particulate matters in sequential rain samples. Using the proposed method, iron-steel facilities, and thermal power plants were identified as the significant regional sources. Urban traffic and natural emission were identified as the local sources.