Urban air quality in a mid-size city — PM2.5 composition, sources and identification of impact areas: From local to long range contributions

Abstract

Urban air quality represents a major public health burden and is a long-standing concern to European citizens. Combustion processes and traffic-related emissions represent the main primary particulate matter (PM) sources in urban areas. Other sources can also affect air quality (e.g., secondary aerosol, industrial) depending on the characteristics of the study area. Thus, the identification and the apportionment of all sources is of crucial importance to make effective corrective decisions within environmental policies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impacts of different emissions sources on PM2.5 concentrations and compositions in a mid-size city in the Po Valley (Treviso, Italy). Data have been analyzed to highlight compositional differences (elements and major inorganic ions), to determine PM2.5 sources and their contributions, and to evaluate the influence of air mass movements. Non-parametric tests, positive matrix factorization (PMF), conditional bivariate probability function (CBPF), and concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) have been used in a multi-chemometrics approach to understand the areal-scale (proximate, local, long-range) where different sources act on PM2.5 levels and composition. Results identified three levels of scale from which the pollution arose: (i) a proximate local scale (close to the sampling site) for traffic non-exhaust and resuspended dust sources; (ii) a local urban scale (including both sampling site and areas close to them) for combustion and industrial; and (iii) a regional scale characterized by ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate. This approach and results can help to develop and adopt better air quality policy action

Chemical Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter in Poland in Relation with Data from Selected Rural and Urban Background Stations in Europe

“…The chemical composition of fine PM (PM 2.5 ) differs significantly from the coarse PM fraction (PM 2.5-10 ), which is mainly due to their different origin and life time [2,14,30]. Numerous studies indicate that the main constituent of fine and ultrafine particles are, in particular, carbonaceous aerosol and water-soluble inorganic ions, for example, [31][32][33]. The contribution of sea spray and crustal dust in PM 2.5 and PM 1 mass is much lower compared to coarse PM.…”

Characterization of Size Distribution and Concentration of Atmospheric Particles During Summer in Zhuzhou, China

“…According to the different sources and proportions of particulate matter in different size ranges, the reasonable formulation and adjustment of environmental measures will play an important role in improving air quality in local city and adjacent regions [38]. The findings presented here can provide an improved scientific basis on particulate matter for the local government of Zhuzhou to develop further environmental regulations for air quality improvement.…”

Genotoxic effects of daily personal exposure to particle mass and number concentrations on buccal cells

“…However, high PM 2.5 concentrations were registered in Londrina at specific times. Panda et al (2016), Squizzato et al (2016) and Heal et al (2005) show stationary source measurements of PM 2.5 in mid-size to large cities in Asia and Europe. In Bhubaneswar, the high concentrations were attributed to weather conditions in the sampling period (winter) and to the great local sources (biomass burning and industries).…”