Source Apportionment of Vocs by Receptor Modelling in an Urban Site in Ha Noi

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are atmospheric pollutants of concern because of the health effect including carcinogenic risk of some of their species and the contribution in the formation of tropospheric ozone. The levels of VOCs in Hanoi were demonstrated to be higher than neighboring countries by previous research. The ozone potential formation (OFP) of VOCs was also some folds higher than others. Among transportation sources, VOCs were proved to be mainly emitted from motorbikes. The contribution percentages of transportation and other sources such as industrial, biomass burning sources are still remained unknown. In this research we applied chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor modelling to determine VOCs source apportionment. One week VOCs observation data at Hanoi University of Science and Technology in June 2017 was applied for investigation. Fourteen VOC species among 55 of which were applied for CMB modelling. Transportation and biomass burning source profiles were developed by monitoring in this study. Four other source profiles, namely gasoline evaporation, industrial production, cooking and paint that were compiled or calculated from previous studies. The results showed that the main sources of VOCs were vehicular emission, biomass burning, and gasoline evaporation contributing 37 %, 21 % and 20 % for VOCs levels, respectively. Other sources contributed for the leftover. The results can support to initiate policy for future control of VOCs.