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Daily PM2.5 samples were collected in Guangzhou — the largest megacity in South China, for a period of one month in each season during 2009–2010. Mass concentrations of water-soluble inorganic ions, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM2.5 were determined, and aerosol scattering coefficient (bsp) was synchronously measured. The daily PM2.5 mass concentrations ranged from 21.0 to 213.6μgm−3 with an annual average of 76.8±41.5μgm−3. The highest seasonal average PM2.5 was observed in winter (103.3±50.1μgm−3) and the lowest in summer (38.6±15.7μgm−3). Annual average PM2.5 mass scattering efficiency (MSE) was 3.5±0.9m2 g−1, with obvious seasonal variations in sequence of autumn (4.5±0.2m2 g−1)>winter (3.9±0.5m2 g−1)>spring (3.0±0.4m2 g−1)>summer (2.3±0.3m2 g−1). To determine the relationship between bsp and the chemical components of PM2.5, bsp was reconstructed in each season using the original IMPROVE formula with a modification of including sea salt aerosols. The estimated bsp using this method was 22±28% smaller on annual average compared to the measurements. Multiple linear regression of measured bsp against (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, OM (Organic Mass), SS (Sea Salt), FS (Fine Soil), and CM (Coarse Mass) were also performed in all the four seasons. The estimated bsp from using the regression equation was 4±12% larger than the measured values. On average, (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, OM, SS, FS and CM accounted for 50±11%, 18±10%, 19±5%, 5±4%, 3±2% and 5±6%, respectively, of the estimated bsp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Daily PM2.5 samples were collected in Chengdu, a megacity in southwest China, for a period of one month in every season during 2009–2010. Mass concentrations of water-soluble inorganic ions, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), levoglucosan (LG), water soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and elements were determined to identify the chemical characteristics and potential sources of PM2.5. The data obtained in spring were discussed in detail to explore the impacts of dust storms and biomass burning on the chemical aerosol properties. The daily PM2.5 mass concentrations ranged from 49.2 to 425.0μgm−3 with an annual average of 165.1±85.1μgm−3. The highest seasonal average of PM2.5 concentrations was observed in the winter (225.5±73.2μgm−3) and the lowest in the summer (113.5±39.3μgm−3). Dust storm influence was observed only during the spring, while biomass burning activities occurred frequently in late spring and early summer. In the spring season, water-soluble ions, total carbonaceous aerosols, and the sum of the dominant elements (Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, and Cu) accounted for 30.0±9.3%, 38.6±11.4%, and 6.2±5.3%, respectively, of the total PM2.5 mass. Crustal element levels evidently increased during the dust storm episode and LG, OC, WSOC, Cl− and K+ concentrations increased by a factor of 2-7 during biomass burning episodes. Using the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model, four sources for spring aerosols were identified, including secondary sulfate and nitrate, motor vehicle emissions, soil dust, and biomass burning. The four sources were estimated to contribute 24.6%, 18.8%, 23.6% and 33.0%, respectively, to the total PM2.5 mass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Daily samples of ambient sub-micrometer particles (PM1, particles with an aerodynamic diameter≤1.0μm) were collected from July 2009 to April 2010 at an urban site over Guangzhou in southern China. Mass concentrations of water-soluble inorganic ions, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) were determined to characterize the chemical composition of PM1. The mass concentration of PM1 ranged from 14.6μgm−3 to 143.3μgm−3, with an annual mean value of 52.4±27.3μgm−3. Seasonally-averaged PM1 concentrations decreased in the order winter>autumn>spring>summer. The annual mean concentrations of OC and EC were 6.2±3.5 and 5.0±2.9μgm−3, respectively. The OC and EC concentrations were measured following the IMPROVE_A thermal/optical reflectance (TOR) protocol. Total carbonaceous aerosol (the sum of organic matter and elemental carbon) accounted for 23.0±4.4% of PM1 mass. Clear seasonal variations in OC and EC suggested sources of these two constituents were remarkable difference among the four seasons. Seasonally averaged OC/EC ratios were 1.2, 1.7, 1.4, and 1.5, from spring to winter respectively. Low OC/EC ratios in comparison with other cities in China revealed that vehicle emissions play an important role in carbonaceous aerosol levels in Guangzhou. SO4 2−, NO3 − and NH4 + were the three major inorganic ions in PM1, collectively contributing 30.0%±6.3% of the PM1 mass. SO4 2− and NH4 + were both the highest in autumn and the lowest in summer. In contrast, NO3 − was the highest in winter. Sulfur oxidation ratio was positively correlated with solar radiation and O3, but negatively correlated with SO2. Nitrogen oxidation ratio was positively correlated with NO2, NH4 + and Cl−, but showed a negative correlation with temperature. By applying the IMPROVE equation, PM1 mass was reconstructed and showed that (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, OM and EC accounted for (30.7±11.4) %, (9.7±5.2) %, (22.6±5.0) % and (9.7±2.3) % of PM1, respectively. Finally, source apportionment by positive matrix factorization revealed that (1) secondary aerosol and biomass burning, (2) diesel emissions, (3) gasoline emissions and sea salt, and (4) coal combustion were the greatest contributors to PM1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]