A mass closure and PMF source apportionment study on the sub-micron sized aerosol fraction at urban sites in Italy

Abstract

Sub-micron sized particles are of increasing concern owing to their effects on human health and on the environment. Up to now there are still very few studies on PM1 (i.e. particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 1 mm) chemical characterisation; the sub-micron sized fraction is not under regulations although it is of interest because it is almost exclusively associated to anthropogenic sources. To perform the first large-scale assessment of sub-micron sized aerosol concentrations, composition and sources, two monitoring campaigns at three urban sites in Italy were carried out during the wintertime and summertime of 2004.Chemical characterisation (elements, soluble ionic fraction, elemental and organic carbon) was carried out on PM1 samples: major contributions were due to organic matter (about 30% in summer and 50% in winter) and ammonium sulphate (about 10% in winter and 40% in summer). During the cold season, nitrates also contributed up to 30% in Milan (lower contributions were registered at the other two urban sites). Chemical mass closure was achieved with an unaccounted mass in the range 14-22%. Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF) was applied to identify the major submicron sized particles' sources. r

Source apportionment of fine PM and sub-micron particle number concentrations at a regional background site in the western Mediterranean: a 2.5 year study

“…Bourcier et al (2012) studied PM 1 concentrations and seasonal variability over one year at the high altitude site of puy de Dôme in France. However, of the studies mentioned, source apportionment was only performed for PM 1 at urban sites by Vecchi et al (2008) and Richard et al (2011). Minguillón et al (2012) performed source apportionment of PM 1 at a rural site in Switzerland but only for short measurement campaigns during summer and winter.…”

“…Thus, understanding the chemical composition and sources of fine PM and sub-micron particles is vital. Of the few studies performed on PM 1 , most are concerned with the urban environment, and were characterised during short measurement campaigns (Vecchi et al, 2008;Richard et al, 2011). Cozic et al (2008) published results on organic and inorganic compounds in PM 1 for 7 years at a high alpine site in Switzerland (Jungfraujoch).…”

“…Most existing studies were performed at urban sites, such as that of Vecchi et al (2008) and Richard et al (2011). In the study by Vecchi et al (2008), PMF was performed on PM 1 samples from three different urban areas across Italy, but major chemical components such as OC, EC, NH + 4 and NO − 3 were not included.…”

“…Most existing studies were performed at urban sites, such as that of Vecchi et al (2008) and Richard et al (2011). In the study by Vecchi et al (2008), PMF was performed on PM 1 samples from three different urban areas across Italy, but major chemical components such as OC, EC, NH + 4 and NO − 3 were not included. Minguillón et al (2012) identified five sources during two month-long (summer and winter) measurement campaigns at a rural site in Switzerland, which were ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate + K + road traffic, industrial, road traffic and background V, Ni and Fe.…”

Spatial and Temporal Variation of Chemical Composition and Mass Closure of Ambient PM10 in Tianjin, China

“…OM was obtained by multiplying the measured concentration of organic carbon (OC) by a factor of 1.6 as proposed by Turpin and Lim (2001) for urban aerosol and used by several previous studies (Viana et al, 2007;Vecchi et al, 2008;Mkoma et al, 2009;Terzi et al, 2010 (Terzi et al, 2010). The EC contribution was reported as determined by thermal desorption.…”