The Role of PM2.5 Chemical Composition and Meteorology during High Pollution Periods at a Suburban Background Station in Southern Poland
Abstract This study conducted measurements of PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) in Racibórz, Poland, during 2018. Samples were collected daily and analyzed for their chemical composition, specifically, the carbonaceous (elemental and organic carbon) and water-soluble ionic (Cl−, NO...
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Springer
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2020.01.0013 |
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| author | Barbara Błaszczak Natalia Zioła Barbara Mathews Krzysztof Klejnowski Krzysztof Słaby |
| author_facet | Barbara Błaszczak Natalia Zioła Barbara Mathews Krzysztof Klejnowski Krzysztof Słaby |
| author_sort | Barbara Błaszczak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study conducted measurements of PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) in Racibórz, Poland, during 2018. Samples were collected daily and analyzed for their chemical composition, specifically, the carbonaceous (elemental and organic carbon) and water-soluble ionic (Cl−, NO3−, SO42–, Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) components. Additionally, the secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) as well as the secondary and primary organic carbon (SOC and POC, respectively) content was estimated. To identify the causes of elevated PM2.5 concentrations, the contributions of these chemical species were further investigated, and the role of meteorological factors was also examined. During the measurement period, PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 50 µg m–3 were recorded on 38 days, and 7 pollution episodes were detected. Such events, however, were observed only in the heating season, when stable meteorological conditions (low air temperatures, weak winds, high relative humidity and lack of precipitation) and increased emissions of PM and its precursors from anthropogenic sources favored the accumulation of pollutants. The PM2.5 was dominated by carbonaceous aerosol, especially POC, although the SOC rose significantly during high pollution periods. Furthermore, the fraction of SIA clearly decreased as the concentration of PM2.5 increased, and its variability was greatly affected by regional and/or long-range transport events. Our results can help guide the development of effective strategies for reducing air pollution from fine particulate matter. Such control measures are particularly important in Poland, where PM2.5 concentrations remain high compared to many European countries. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3d2e36468c624b36868b2ae7dac3e458 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-3d2e36468c624b36868b2ae7dac3e4582025-02-09T12:19:08ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092020-08-0120112433244710.4209/aaqr.2020.01.0013The Role of PM2.5 Chemical Composition and Meteorology during High Pollution Periods at a Suburban Background Station in Southern PolandBarbara Błaszczak0Natalia Zioła1Barbara Mathews2Krzysztof Klejnowski3Krzysztof Słaby4Institute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of SciencesInstitute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of SciencesInstitute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of SciencesInstitute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of SciencesInstitute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of SciencesAbstract This study conducted measurements of PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) in Racibórz, Poland, during 2018. Samples were collected daily and analyzed for their chemical composition, specifically, the carbonaceous (elemental and organic carbon) and water-soluble ionic (Cl−, NO3−, SO42–, Na+, NH4+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) components. Additionally, the secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) as well as the secondary and primary organic carbon (SOC and POC, respectively) content was estimated. To identify the causes of elevated PM2.5 concentrations, the contributions of these chemical species were further investigated, and the role of meteorological factors was also examined. During the measurement period, PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 50 µg m–3 were recorded on 38 days, and 7 pollution episodes were detected. Such events, however, were observed only in the heating season, when stable meteorological conditions (low air temperatures, weak winds, high relative humidity and lack of precipitation) and increased emissions of PM and its precursors from anthropogenic sources favored the accumulation of pollutants. The PM2.5 was dominated by carbonaceous aerosol, especially POC, although the SOC rose significantly during high pollution periods. Furthermore, the fraction of SIA clearly decreased as the concentration of PM2.5 increased, and its variability was greatly affected by regional and/or long-range transport events. Our results can help guide the development of effective strategies for reducing air pollution from fine particulate matter. Such control measures are particularly important in Poland, where PM2.5 concentrations remain high compared to many European countries.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2020.01.0013PM2.5High pollution daysCarbonaceous aerosolPrimary and secondary organic carbonSecondary inorganic aerosolMeteorology |
| spellingShingle | Barbara Błaszczak Natalia Zioła Barbara Mathews Krzysztof Klejnowski Krzysztof Słaby The Role of PM2.5 Chemical Composition and Meteorology during High Pollution Periods at a Suburban Background Station in Southern Poland Aerosol and Air Quality Research PM2.5 High pollution days Carbonaceous aerosol Primary and secondary organic carbon Secondary inorganic aerosol Meteorology |
| title | The Role of PM2.5 Chemical Composition and Meteorology during High Pollution Periods at a Suburban Background Station in Southern Poland |
| title_full | The Role of PM2.5 Chemical Composition and Meteorology during High Pollution Periods at a Suburban Background Station in Southern Poland |
| title_fullStr | The Role of PM2.5 Chemical Composition and Meteorology during High Pollution Periods at a Suburban Background Station in Southern Poland |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of PM2.5 Chemical Composition and Meteorology during High Pollution Periods at a Suburban Background Station in Southern Poland |
| title_short | The Role of PM2.5 Chemical Composition and Meteorology during High Pollution Periods at a Suburban Background Station in Southern Poland |
| title_sort | role of pm2 5 chemical composition and meteorology during high pollution periods at a suburban background station in southern poland |
| topic | PM2.5 High pollution days Carbonaceous aerosol Primary and secondary organic carbon Secondary inorganic aerosol Meteorology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2020.01.0013 |
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