Key factors for abating particulate matter in a highly industrialized area in N Spain: Fugitive emissions and secondary aerosol precursors

Rosa Lara; Barend L van Drooge; Anna Canals-Angerri; Fulvio Amato; Andrés Alastuey; Xavier Querol; Luis Negral

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139959

Key factors for abating particulate matter in a highly industrialized area in N Spain: Fugitive emissions and secondary aerosol precursors

Chemosphere. 2023 Nov:341:139959. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139959. Epub 2023 Aug 26.

Authors

Rosa Lara¹, Barend L van Drooge², Anna Canals-Angerri², Fulvio Amato², Andrés Alastuey², Xavier Querol², Luis Negral³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: rosa.lara@idaea.csic.es.
² Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
³ Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain.

PMID: 37640211
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139959

Abstract

In highly industrialized areas, abating particulate matter (PM) is complex owing to the variety of emission sources with different chemical profiles that may mix in the atmosphere. Gijón-an industrial city in northern Spain-was selected as a case study to better understand the key emission sources and improve air quality in highly industrialized areas. Accordingly, the trends of various air quality indicators (PM10, PM2.5, SO₂, NO₂, and O₃) during the past decade (2010-2019) were analyzed. Additionally, the inorganic and organic PM10 compositions were analyzed for source apportionment studies and to assess the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on PM10 levels. The results revealed that over the past decade, PM10 concentrations decreased, whereas PM2.5 concentrations dominated by secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA) remained relatively constant. Notably, during the COVID-19 lockdown, the PM10 concentration increased by 9.1%, primarily owing to an increase in regional SIA (>65%) due to specific meteorological conditions that favor the formation of secondary PM from gaseous precursors. Overall, eight key PM10 sources were identified: "industrial fugitive PM resuspension" (FPM, 28% of mean PM10 concentration), "aged sea spray" (SSp, 16%), "secondary nitrate" (SN, 15%), "local diffuse source" (LPM, 12%), "solid fuel combustion" (SFC, 7.8%), "biomass burning" (BB, 7.4%), "secondary sulphate" (SSu, 6.0%), and "sinter" (SIN, 4.5%). The PM10 concentration in Gijón is significantly influenced by the integrated steel industry (FPM, SFC, and SIN; 41% of PM10) and fugitive primary PM emissions were the main source (FPM and LPM; 40%). To reduce PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, industrial fugitive emissions, which are currently poorly regulated, and SIA precursors must be abated. This study provides a methodological approach that combines trend analysis, chemical speciation, and source apportionment for assessing pollution abatement strategies in industrialized areas with a complex mix of emission sources.

Keywords: Air quality; Atmospheric particulate matter; COVID-19; Industry; Source apportionment; Trend analysis.

MeSH terms

Aged
Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollution* / analysis
COVID-19*
Communicable Disease Control
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Humans
Particulate Matter / analysis
Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets
Spain
Vehicle Emissions / analysis

Substances

Particulate Matter
Air Pollutants
Vehicle Emissions