Source Apportionment of Fine Particulate Matter in Wuhan: Application of Rolling Positive Matrix Factorization Under Different Seasons and Episodic Events

Abstract Introduction Source apportionment of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from positive matrix factorization (PMF) model with long-term measurements of chemical composition data can be biased due to changes of source profiles across the sampling period. Rolling PMF strategy with source profile c...

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Main Authors: Ziye Guo, Qiongqiong Wang, Nan Chen, Bo Zhu, Huang Zheng, Shaofei Kong, Mingjie Xie, Huan Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-04-01
Series:Aerosol and Air Quality Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44408-025-00005-1
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author Ziye Guo
Qiongqiong Wang
Nan Chen
Bo Zhu
Huang Zheng
Shaofei Kong
Mingjie Xie
Huan Yu
author_facet Ziye Guo
Qiongqiong Wang
Nan Chen
Bo Zhu
Huang Zheng
Shaofei Kong
Mingjie Xie
Huan Yu
author_sort Ziye Guo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Source apportionment of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from positive matrix factorization (PMF) model with long-term measurements of chemical composition data can be biased due to changes of source profiles across the sampling period. Rolling PMF strategy with source profile constraints has been demonstrated as an effective tool for source apportionment of the non-refractory submicron aerosol, while its application in PM chemical speciation data under different pollution conditions was less studied. Methods Here, we conducted source apportionment of PM2.5 using rolling PMF based on hourly chemical speciation data during winter (November 2021 to January 2022) and summer months (May to July 2023) at a suburban site in Wuhan, China. Rolling PMF runs were conducted with source profile constraints using the a-value method in the Source Finder Professional. Results Rolling PMF runs for both winter and summer data indicated major PM2.5 contributors were secondary sources and biomass burning in Wuhan, contributing to 61.9% and 19.4% in winter and 58.9% and 22.7% in summer, respectively. Larger source profile variabilities were observed for winter data than summer data. The rolling PMF runs effectively reproduced the source contributions of seasonal PMF for most sources, with Pearson Correlation Coefficient (R) of 0.95–0.99 and slopes of 0.9–1.1. Analysis of the short-lasting episodic events further validated the applicability of rolling PMF, which can provide more timely and environmentally interpretable results. Conclusion This study improved our understandings of the seasonal variations of the PM sources and the formation of episodic events, providing valuable insights for formulating promptly effective air pollution control measures. Graphical abstract
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spelling doaj-art-4e855e4cbc7b47178a0554ad572575d22025-08-20T01:47:33ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092025-04-01251-411310.1007/s44408-025-00005-1Source Apportionment of Fine Particulate Matter in Wuhan: Application of Rolling Positive Matrix Factorization Under Different Seasons and Episodic EventsZiye Guo0Qiongqiong Wang1Nan Chen2Bo Zhu3Huang Zheng4Shaofei Kong5Mingjie Xie6Huan Yu7Department of Atmospheric Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of GeosciencesDepartment of Atmospheric Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of GeosciencesResearch Centre for Complex Air Pollution of Hubei ProvinceResearch Centre for Complex Air Pollution of Hubei ProvinceDepartment of Atmospheric Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of GeosciencesDepartment of Atmospheric Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of GeosciencesCollaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control (AEMPC), Nanjing University of Information Science and TechnologyDepartment of Atmospheric Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of GeosciencesAbstract Introduction Source apportionment of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from positive matrix factorization (PMF) model with long-term measurements of chemical composition data can be biased due to changes of source profiles across the sampling period. Rolling PMF strategy with source profile constraints has been demonstrated as an effective tool for source apportionment of the non-refractory submicron aerosol, while its application in PM chemical speciation data under different pollution conditions was less studied. Methods Here, we conducted source apportionment of PM2.5 using rolling PMF based on hourly chemical speciation data during winter (November 2021 to January 2022) and summer months (May to July 2023) at a suburban site in Wuhan, China. Rolling PMF runs were conducted with source profile constraints using the a-value method in the Source Finder Professional. Results Rolling PMF runs for both winter and summer data indicated major PM2.5 contributors were secondary sources and biomass burning in Wuhan, contributing to 61.9% and 19.4% in winter and 58.9% and 22.7% in summer, respectively. Larger source profile variabilities were observed for winter data than summer data. The rolling PMF runs effectively reproduced the source contributions of seasonal PMF for most sources, with Pearson Correlation Coefficient (R) of 0.95–0.99 and slopes of 0.9–1.1. Analysis of the short-lasting episodic events further validated the applicability of rolling PMF, which can provide more timely and environmentally interpretable results. Conclusion This study improved our understandings of the seasonal variations of the PM sources and the formation of episodic events, providing valuable insights for formulating promptly effective air pollution control measures. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s44408-025-00005-1Short-term source apportionmentRolling PMFEpisodic events
spellingShingle Ziye Guo
Qiongqiong Wang
Nan Chen
Bo Zhu
Huang Zheng
Shaofei Kong
Mingjie Xie
Huan Yu
Source Apportionment of Fine Particulate Matter in Wuhan: Application of Rolling Positive Matrix Factorization Under Different Seasons and Episodic Events
Aerosol and Air Quality Research
Short-term source apportionment
Rolling PMF
Episodic events
title Source Apportionment of Fine Particulate Matter in Wuhan: Application of Rolling Positive Matrix Factorization Under Different Seasons and Episodic Events
title_full Source Apportionment of Fine Particulate Matter in Wuhan: Application of Rolling Positive Matrix Factorization Under Different Seasons and Episodic Events
title_fullStr Source Apportionment of Fine Particulate Matter in Wuhan: Application of Rolling Positive Matrix Factorization Under Different Seasons and Episodic Events
title_full_unstemmed Source Apportionment of Fine Particulate Matter in Wuhan: Application of Rolling Positive Matrix Factorization Under Different Seasons and Episodic Events
title_short Source Apportionment of Fine Particulate Matter in Wuhan: Application of Rolling Positive Matrix Factorization Under Different Seasons and Episodic Events
title_sort source apportionment of fine particulate matter in wuhan application of rolling positive matrix factorization under different seasons and episodic events
topic Short-term source apportionment
Rolling PMF
Episodic events
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44408-025-00005-1
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