The chemical characterization and source apportionment of PM2.5 and PM10 in a typical city of Northeast China

Abstract

This paper analyzed the chemical characterization of PM2.5 and PM10 in a typical city of Northeast China during the heating period, including trace elements, water-soluble inorganic ions (WSII), organic carbon (OC), and element carbon (EC). The results showed that PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were 66.55 ± 28.89 μg/m3 and 92.99 ± 31.00 μg/m3. The concentrations of As and Cr in the atmosphere were beyond the current air quality standard in China (6 ng/m3 for As, 0.025 ng/m3 for Cr). Secondary inorganic ions (NH4+, NO3−, and SO42−) dominated the WSII, accounting for 40.54% of PM2.5 and 33.80% of PM10. High OC/EC ratios implied a high proportion of secondary organic carbon (SOC). Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to identify the sources of PM2.5 and PM10. Six factors were analyzed and identified as secondary aerosol, industry, coal combustion, vehicle emissions, biomass burning, and dust, of which secondary aerosol was the largest contribution to PM2.5 and PM10.