Characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 Source Profiles of Fugitive Dust in Zhengzhou, China

Received: April 11, 2017
Revised: June 28, 2017
Accepted: July 26, 2017
Download Citation: RIS|BibTeX|https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2017.04.0132  

Cite this article:
Jiang, N., Dong, Z., Xu, Y., Yu, F., Yin, S., Zhang, R. and Tang, X. (2018). Characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 Source Profiles of Fugitive Dust in Zhengzhou, China. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 18: 314-329. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2017.04.0132

HIGHLIGHTS

• Four types of dust source profiles for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were obtained.
• Number concentration of PM₁ accounted for more than 90% of total number of PM₁₀.
• Significant differences were found between fugitive dust profiles at various sites.
• Cd, Ag, and Zn were enriched with enrichment factors between 11 and 380.

ABSTRACT

As a result of rapid urbanization, the road lengths and built-up areas in Zhengzhou are steadily expanding along with increasing fugitive dust emissions. Identifying the physical and chemical characteristics and the chemical profiles of fugitive dust is important in achieving effective atmospheric pollution management. In this study, soil dust, road dust (RD), building demolition dust, and cement (CE) were chosen as the research objects. A total of 94 dust samples were collected from 20 sites. PM_2.5 (particulate matter with diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) and PM10 (particulate matter with diameter ≤ 10 µm) samples were obtained by using a re-suspension device and their physical and chemical properties were analyzed. The scanning electron microscopy of four types of dust particles showed that most of the dust particles presented an irregular shape. In terms of particle size distribution, the mass concentration of PM_2.5 accounted for less than 10% of the total PM₁₀, whereas the number concentration of PM_2.5 accounted for more than 96% of the total number. Chemical component analysis revealed that crustal elements such as Al, Mg, Fe, and K were abundant in all samples, and they were the most abundant species in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in the reconstruction results. The percentage of NO₃^– in the RD sample was higher than that in the other three fugitive dust samples because of the influence of vehicles. Furthermore, the CE sample had higher SO₄^2– and Ca²⁺ percentages than the other three types of fugitive dust samples. Enrichment factor analysis showed that the significant enrichment of Cd and Ag was mainly caused by anthropogenic sources. The coefficients of divergence values between the profiles for different sites of dust ranged from 0.21 to 0.68, indicating the fugitive dust profiles from various sites mostly different. The chemical profiles of four dust sources obtained from this study is limited in Zhengzhou.

Keywords: Scanning electron microscope; Size distribution; Chemical profile; Coefficient of divergence; Enrichment factor.