Seasonal Variation, Chemical Composition, and PMF-Derived Sources Identification of Traffic-Related PM1, PM2.5, and PM2.5–10 in the Air Quality Management Region of Žilina, Slovakia

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution in the urban environment is mainly related to the presence of potential sources throughout the year. Road transport is one of the most important sources of PM in the urban environment, because it directly affects pedestrians. PM measurements were performed in the city of Žilina, Slovakia, at various road-traffic-related measurement stations over the course of several years. This paper evaluates changes in the concentration of the fine fraction (PM2.5), the ultrafine fraction (PM1), and the coarse fraction (PM2.5–10) over time. PM concentrations were measured by reference gravimetric method. Significant changes in PM concentrations over time due to the diversification of pollution sources and other, secondary factors can be observed from the analysis of the measured data. PM samples were subjected to chemical analysis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the concentrations of elements (Mg, Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Cd, Sb, Ba, Pb, Ni, and Zn). The seasonal variation of elements was evaluated, and the sources of PM2.5, PM1, and PM2.5–10 were estimated using principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF). PM2.5 (maximum concentration of 148.95 µg/m3 over 24 h) and PM1 (maximum concentration of 110.51 µg/m3 over 24 h) showed the highest concentrations during the heating season, together with the elements Cd, Pb, and Zn, which showed a significant presence in these fractions. On the other hand, PM2.5–10 (maximum concentration of 38.17 µg/m3 over 24 h) was significantly related to the elements Cu, Sb, Ba, Ca, Cr, Fe, Mg, and Al. High correlation coefficients (r ≥ 0.8) were found for the elements Mg, Ca, Fe, Al, Cd, Pb, and Zn in the PM1 fraction, Cd, Pb, and Zn in PM2.5, and Ba, Sb, Fe, Cu, Cr, Mg, Al, and Ca in PM2.5–10. Using PMF analysis, three major sources of PM (abrasion from tires and brakes, road dust resuspension/winter salting, and combustion processes) were identified for the PM2.5 and PM1 fractions, as well as for the coarse PM2.5–10 fraction. This study reveals the importance of non-exhaust PM emissions in the urban environment.

Identification of Airborne Particle Types and Sources at a California School Using Electron Microscopy

“…need for targeted mitigation strategies [4][5][6][7]. However, such detailed information can be difficult to ascertain when PM exposure assessment methods are difficult to implement, expensive, or limited to mass concentration data only.…”

“…See Appendix A for details on the CCSEM-EDS analysis parameters and airborne PM concentration calculations. Briefly, CCSEM-EDS data from each analyzed sample were input into a custom software algorithm that calculated PM size fractions (PM 2.5 , PM 10-2.5 (PM between 2.5 and 10 µm) and PM 10 (PM < 10 µm)), elemental size distributions, mass size distributions, and chemical types [4]. All PM concentrations were blank-corrected by subtracting the average of the two blanks.…”

“…The toxicity associated with local PM exposures can vary depending on the specific mixture of particle sizes, sources (indoor or outdoor), and compositions, highlighting the need for targeted mitigation strategies [4][5][6][7]. However, such detailed information can be difficult to ascertain when PM exposure assessment methods are difficult to implement, expensive, or limited to mass concentration data only.…”

Clarifying Relationship between PM2.5 Concentrations and Spatiotemporal Predictors Using Multi-Way Partial Dependence Plots

“…In recent years, due to the continuous increase in aerosols in developing countries, air pollution has become more serious [1,2]. PM 2.5 (the particulate matter with aerodynamic equivalent diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) has become the main pollutant in the urban environment [3,4]. it contains a variety of toxic and harmful substances and can travel deeply into the lungs and increase the risk of multiple diseases [5].…”

Research on the Long-Term Acoustic Efficiency of Asphalt Mixtures Using CRM in Test Sections of Slovak Roads

“…Attention is also focused on the protection of the pavement from climatic and weathering influences. In addition, it is necessary to consider the requirements of the surface of the layer, especially surface roughness [5] and unevenness of the abrasive layer [6], drainage properties, durability, and traffic noise and pollution [7]. The arrangement of the roadway in interaction with moving vehicles has a significant share in the noise load arising in the vicinity of the roadway.Traffic noise is a perpetual form of environmental pollution that adversely affects human health.…”