Source Quantification of PM10 and PM2.5 Using Iron Tracer Mass Balance in a Seoul Subway Station, South Korea

In this study, we simultaneously measured the PM10 and PM2.5 mass concentrations and their heavy metal content for three days at a subway station in Seoul to investigate the airborne PM flows. The average concentrations were 59 µg m–3, 37 µg m–3, 111 µg m–3, and 369 µg m–3 for the PM10 and 43 µg m–3, 28 µg m–3, 58 µg m–3, and 132 µg m–3 for the PM2.5 at the outdoor air inlet, in the concourse, on the platform, and in the tunnel, respectively. We also found strong correlations between the temporal variations at adjacent sampling locations for both fractions, although they were higher for the PM2.5. Additionally, of the airborne trace metals detected at the sampling locations inside the station (the concourse, platform, and tunnel), iron (Fe) displayed the highest concentration and was thus selected as a tracer of PM. Applying a simple mass balance model to the Fe concentrations and ventilation rates revealed that 78% of the PM10 and 62% of the PM2.5 on the platform emanated from the tunnel, whereas 84% of the PM10 and 87% of the PM2.5 in the concourse originated outdoors (and arrived in the filtered air). These results further confirm that reducing PM emission from the tunnel is the most effective strategy for improving air quality on the platform and achieving compliance with the national guideline.