Primary and secondary components of PM2.5 in Milan (Italy)

A procedure to assess local and long-range transport contributions to PM2.5 and secondary inorganic aerosol

“…As similar concentrations may indicate common origins and removal processes, these findings are a first evidence that SIA dynamics are more linked to regional processes than to local sources. Results are comparable with data collected in other sites of Po Valley, such as Milan, where SIA accounts for 43% of the PM 2.5 mass in the cold season and 37% in the warm season (Lonati et al, 2008).…”

“…The concentrations and formation mechanisms of PM 2.5 and SIA were already studied in some sites of Po Valley such as San Pietro Capofiume (Boulogne), Milan, Venice Lagoon (see e.g., Hamed et al, 2007;Sogacheva et al, 2007;Lonati et al, 2008;Prodi et al, 2009), but relatively scarce data are available for the Eastern part of the Po plain. In particular only few studies reported on air quality in the Venice-Mestre area (Rampazzo et al, 2008a(Rampazzo et al, , 2008bStortini et al, 2009;Masiol et al, 2010) and mainly discussed element characterization, source identification and apportionment.…”

Long-term characterization of organic and elemental carbon in the PM<sub>2.5</sub> fraction: the case of Athens, Greece

“…These ratios are generally comparable with results from other Mediterranean sites (see Table 1 Lonati et al (2008). Higher ratios can be attributed either to secondary production from gas-to-particle conversion of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) (mainly during long-range transport of polluted air masses; Pio et al, 2007) or to primary sources such as biomass burning, during which high OC / EC ratios are exhibited (Amiridis et al, 2012).…”

“…9), a conclusion strengthened by the significant correlation between daily SOC and WSOC values (R 2 = 0.53, slope = 0.69, n = 591, p<0.001). By contrast, the correlation between SOC and nss-SO In the cold season, for the estimation of SOC and the relevant primary OC / EC ratio, fossil fuel and wood burning combustion from domestic heating should be also taken into account Lonati et al, 2007;Lonati et al, 2008). Since this ratio can vary greatly depending on the site and the different sources, it was not feasible to estimate SOC during the cold period.…”

“…Thus, from April to October in Athens, we estimated the contribution of primary and secondary organic aerosols in the organic carbon concentrations using Eq. (1) and applying an OC / EC pri ratio equal to 1, since traffic is the main active source during this time period (e.g., Lonati et al, 2008).…”