Trajectory-Assisted Source Apportionment of Winter-Time Aerosol Using Semi-continuous Measurements

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2020 Apr;78(3):430-438. doi: 10.1007/s00244-020-00714-1. Epub 2020 Feb 8.

Abstract

Receptor models, e.g., positive matrix factorization (PMF), are beneficial in designing effective control strategies to improve air quality. Additionally, integrating the trajectory analysis data into receptor modeling facilitates identifying the contributions from long-range transported aerosols. This study was conducted in Taipei City of Taiwan, a representative urban area with high population density, heavy traffic, and residential-commercial complexes. Hourly measurements were applied into an integrated trajectory-source apportionment approach. PMF was used to identify seven potential sources, including ammonium sulfate related, oil combustion, firework/firecracker, dust, vehicle, coal/marine, and industry/vehicle. Ammonium sulfate related source (33%) was characterized as the largest contributor, followed by coal/marine (18%) and industry/vehicle (16%). Through this integrated method, contribution estimates of the ammonium sulfate related factor from distant potential source regions were differentiated. Additionally, detailed distributions of source contributions to PM2.5 event periods were revealed by applying these highly time-resolved measurements.

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Air Pollution / analysis*
  • Cities
  • Coal / analysis
  • Dust / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Particulate Matter / analysis*
  • Seasons
  • Taiwan
  • Vehicle Emissions / analysis*

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants
  • Coal
  • Dust
  • Particulate Matter
  • Vehicle Emissions