Potential Source Analysis for PM10 and PM2.5 in Autumn in a Northern City in China

Received: December 29, 2016
Revised: December 29, 2016
Accepted: December 29, 2016
Download Citation: RIS|BibTeX|https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2011.04.0045  

Cite this article:
Wang, Z.s., Wu, T., Shi, G.l., Fu, X., Tian, Y.z., Feng, Y.c., Wu, X.f., Wu, G., Bai, Z.p. and Zhang, W.j. (2012). Potential Source Analysis for PM10 and PM2.5 in Autumn in a Northern City in China. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 12: 39-48. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2011.04.0045

ABSTRACT

In this study, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 samples were obtained in a northern city in China. The 12-h averaged concentrations of particulate matter and species were analyzed. A PCA-MLR model was applied to identify the potential source categories and to estimate the source contributions for the PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 datasets. Five factors were extracted for the PM₁₀ samples, and their percentage contributions were estimated as follows: crustal dust—39.87%; vehicle exhaust—30.16%; secondary sulfate and nitrate—14.42%; metal emission source—6.77%; and residual oil combustion source—1.82%. Four factors were resolved for the PM2.5 dataset, and their contributions were obtained: crustal dust—35.81%; vehicle exhaust—22.67%; secondary sulfate and nitrate—32.35%; and metal emission and residual oil combustion sources—4.57%. In addition, a Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) was used to investigate the possible locations of the major sources. The PSCF results showed that for each source category, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 had similar potential source areas.

Keywords: Sources; Potential source contribution function; PM10; PM2.5