Analysis of the data set from a two-year observation of the ambient water-soluble ions bound to four particulate matter fractions in an urban background site in Southern Poland

Abstract

2+), distributed among four fractions of particulate matter, PM, were investigated in an urban background site. The PM was sampled twice a week during a two-year sampling period. Mass distribution among the PM fractions and ambient concentrations of the ten PM-bound ions in the heating and non-heating periods, the seasonal effects in the PM fraction-bound ion concentrations (generalized regression model), and the principal components of all the resulting sets of ambient concentrations (principal component analysis) were determined, discussed, and interpreted in the terms of source apportionment of PM emissions. The formation of secondary inorganic aerosol in transformations of gaseous precursors (e.g., SOx, NOx, NH3) appeared to be most probable and significant source of PM2.5, especially of its sub-fraction PM1-2.5, in the non-heating period. In the heating period, PM and PM2.5 bound water-soluble ions originated mainly from combustion of coal and other solid fuels, or waste. Coarse particles (PM2.5-10 and PM10-40) and some PM2.5-40-bound ions (e.g. Na + , K + , Mg 2+) may come from re-suspension of mineral matter and road dust. In some part, coarse PM may consist of mineral and salt particles containing gaseous and semivolatile compounds.

Analysis of Particulate Matter Concentration Variability and Origin in Selected Urban Areas in Poland

“…A lower content of PO 4 3− , SO 4 2− and NH 4 + ions in the sum of the ions determined in PM 2.5 in the non-heating season may indicate the influence of fossil fuel and biomass combustion on the composition of particulate matter. Cl − and Na + ions may indicate the influence of salting and sanding in the winter season [12,44,45]. The content of OC and EC in PM 2.5 particulate matter at both of the stations in the summer season were at a similar level, however it was about four times lower than the content in the winter season.…”

Impact of Municipal, Road Traffic, and Natural Sources on PM10: The Hourly Variability at a Rural Site in Poland

“…Herein, the studies on gaseous pollutants, as well as the knowledge of the average meteorological parameters during the research period, served to assess the aero-sanitary air conditions during the research period. These were typical for the summer period in Poland, and taking into account the air quality in other regions of southern Poland during the summer, they can be assessed as having been even better [40,[43][44][45].…”

Automatic weighing system vs. manual weighing precision comparison in PM-loaded filter measurements under different humidity conditions

“…A slightly lower difference was found for the PM 2.5 fraction compared to PM 1 . This can be simply explained by the greater surface area of the PM 1 particles, which probably take in atmospheric water vapor more effectively compared to the PM 2.5 fraction, but also due to their chemical characteristics and mass size distribution, as determined in many previous studies (Klejnowski et al, 2012 ; Rogula-Kozlowska, 2015 ; Rogula-Kozlowska et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Another possible explanation for this phenomenon is water absorption, depending on the structure and material of the filter itself, but also on the chemical composition of the PM. The differences found mostly applied to the PM 2.5 fraction, enriched in inorganic ions, since PM-bound water-soluble ions make up the greater part of the mass in PM 2.5 , especially in urban areas in the heating period (Rogula-Kozlowska et al, 2017 ). PM-bound water-soluble ions play a significant role in atmospheric chemical reactions, acting as precursors for new particles, especially sulfates (SO 4 2− ), nitrates (NO 3 − ), and ammonium (NH 4 + ) (Błaszczak et al, 2019 ; Juda-Rezler et al, 2020 ), but also favor water sorption by PM.…”