Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Bioavailability and regional transport of PM2.5 during heavy haze episode in typical coal city site of Fenwei Plain, China

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite the decrease in anthropogenic emissions, haze episodes were still frequent in the Fenwei Plain, which was identified as one of the three key areas for air pollution control. Herein, PM2.5 samples were collected to investigate the influence of festival effect during the Chinese Spring Festival from February 2rd to 13th, 2019, in Linfen on the Fenwei Plain. The characteristics of element pollution, enrichment factor, source apportionment, regional transport of PM2.5, and health risk assessment were discussed. Meanwhile, the simulated lung fluid method (SLF) was carried out to accurately assess the inhalation risks of heavy metals (HMs). Results indicated that the average concentration of PM2.5 was 195.6 μg·m−3 during the studying period. Road fugitive dust (15.6%), firework burning source (25.6%), industrial emission (30.5%), and coal combustion (28.3%) were identified by positive matrix factorization (PMF) modeling. Using the HYSPLIT trajectory model, air masses from the central Shaanxi, southern Hebei, and northern Henan were the dominant transport paths during the Spring Festival, which contributed 21.9 and 41.2% of total trajectories, respectively. The findings that high PSCF and CWT levels were found in central Shaanxi, southern Hebei, and northern Henan were confirmed. The SLF mean bioaccessibility (%) of the solubility of particulate metals was in order of Mn > Ni > Sb > Ba > Zn > Pb > Cr. However, the carcinogenic risk value of Cr was the highest, exceeding the maximum acceptable risk. The present study provided important information for further analyzing the air pollution cause of Fenwei Plain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

source profiles of 17 elements (a); proportion of pollution sources for each element (b); contribution proportion of each source (c)

Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and material

All datasets, models, or code generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by reasonable request.

References

  • Bressi, M., Sciare, J., Ghersi, V., Mihalopoulos, N., Petit, J. E., Nicolas, J. B., et al. (2014). Sources and geographical origins of fine aerosols in Paris (France). Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 14, 8813–8839.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, J.J., & Cui, L. (2021). Current Status, Characteristics and causes of particulate air pollution in the Fenwei Plain, China: a review. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 126.

  • Cheng, Y., Engling, G., He, K. B., Duan, F. K., Ma, Y. L., & Du, Z. Y., et al. (2013). Biomass burning contribution to Beijing aerosol. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 13, 7765–7781.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, Y., Engling, G., He, K. B., Duan, F. K., Du, Z. Y., & Ma, Y. L., et al. (2014). The characteristics of Beijing aerosol during two distinct episodes: Impacts of biomass burning and fireworks. Environmental Pollution, 185, 149–157.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • China, M. (2012). Ambient air quality standards (GB 3095–2012).

  • Cui, Y., Ji, D., He, J., Kong, S., & Wang, Y. (2020) In situ continuous observation of hourly elements in PM2.5 in urban beijing, China: Occurrence levels, temporal variation, potential source regions and health risks. Atmospheric Environment, 222, 117164.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fan, W., Qin, K., Xu, J., Yuan, L., Li, D., Jin, Z., et al. (2019). Aerosol vertical distribution and sources estimation at a site of the Yangtze River Delta region of China. Atmospheric Research, 217, 128–136.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feng, J., Yu, H., Liu, S., Su, X., Li, Y., Pan Y, et al. (2017). PM2.5 levels, chemical composition and health risk assessment in Xinxiang, a seriously air-polluted city in North China. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 39 , 1071–1083.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Camacho, R., Rodríguez, S., de la Rosa, J., Sánchez de la Campa, A. M., Alastuey, A., Querol, X., et al. (2012). Ultrafine particle and fine trace metal (As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) pollution episodes induced by industrial emissions in Huelva, SW Spain. Atmospheric Environment, 61, 507–517.

  • Hu, T., Mao, Y., Liu, W., Cheng, C., Shi, M., Chen, Z., et al. (2018). Fate of PM2.5-bound PAHs in Xiangyang, central China during Chinese spring festival: Influence of fireworks burning and air-mass transport. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2020(97), 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, X., Zhang, Y., Ding, Z., Wang, T., Lian, H., Sun, Y., et al. (2012). Bioaccessibility and health risk of arsenic and heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Mn) in TSP and PM2.5 in Nanjing, China. Atmospheric Environment, 57, 146–152.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ji, D., Cui, Y., Li, L., He, J., Wang, L., Zhang, H., et al. (2018). Characterization and source identification of fine particulate matter in urban Beijing during the 2015 Spring Festival. Science of the Total Environment, 628–629, 430–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, N., Duan, S., Yu, X., Zhang, R., Wang, K. (2018). Comparative major components and health risks of toxic elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of PM2.5 in winter and summer in Zhengzhou: Based on three-year data. Atmospheric Research, 213, 173–184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Juda-Rezler, K., Zajusz-Zubek, E., Reizer, M., Maciejewska, K., Kurek, E., Bulska, E, et al. (2021). Bioavailability of elements in atmospheric PM2.5 during winter episodes at Central Eastern European urban background site. Atmospheric Environment, 245, 117993.

  • Khan, M. F., Latif, M. T., Saw, W. H., Amil, N., Nadzir, M. S. M., Sahani, M., et al. (2016). Fine particulate matter in the tropical environment: Monsoonal effects, source apportionment, and health risk assessment. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 16, 597–617.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong, S., Li, X., Li, L., Yin, Y., Chen, K., Yuan, L., et al. (2015a) Variation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric PM2.5 during winter haze period around 2014 Chinese Spring Festival at Nanjing: Insights of source changes, air mass direction and firework particle injection. Science of the Total Environment, 520, 59–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kong, S. F., Li, L., Li, X. X., Yin, Y., Chen, K., Liu, D. T., et al. (2015b). The impacts of firework burning at the Chinese Spring Festival on air quality: Insights of tracers, source evolution and aging processes. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 15, 2167–2184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lei, W., Zhang, L., Xu, J., Liu, Z., Xin, J., Li, X., et al. (2021). Spatiotemporal variations and source apportionment of metals in atmospheric particulate matter in Beijing and its surrounding areas. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 12, 101213.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., Xie, P., Li, A., Xu, J., Ren, H., Ren, B., et al. (2021). Study of aerosol characteristics and sources using MAX-DOAS measurement during haze at an urban site in the Fenwei Plain. Journal of Environmental Sciences (china), 107, 1–13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., Liu, B., Xue, Z., Zhang, Y., Sun, X., Song, C., et al. (2020). Chemical characteristics and source apportionment of PM2.5 using PMF modelling coupled with 1-hr resolution online air pollutant dataset for Linfen, China. Environmental Pollution, 263, 114532.

  • Li, M., Liu, Z., Chen, J., Huang, X., Liu, J., Xie, Y., et al. (2019). Characteristics and source apportionment of metallic elements in PM2.5 at urban and suburban sites in Beijing: Implication of Emission Reduction. Atmosphere, 10, 105.

  • Liu, P. F., Zhao, C. S., Göbel, T., Hallbauer, E., Nowak, A., Ran, L., et al. (2011). Hygroscopic properties of aerosol particles at high relative humidity and their diurnal variations in the North China Plain. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11, 3479–3494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X., Ouyang, W., Shu, Y., Tian, Y., Feng, Y., Zhang, T., et al. (2019). Incorporating bioaccessibility into health risk assessment of heavy metals in particulate matter originated from different sources of atmospheric pollution. Environmental Pollution, 254, 113113.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, P., Ren, H., Xu, H., Lei, Y., Shen, Z. (2018). Assessment of heavy metal characteristics and health risks associated with PM2.5 in Xi’an, the largest city in northwestern China. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, 11, 1037–1047.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, J., Zhang, A., Chen, Y., Zhou, X., Zhou, A., Cao, H. (2021). Bioaccessibility, source impact and probabilistic health risk of the toxic metals in PM2.5 based on lung fluids test and Monte Carlo simulations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 283, 124667.

  • Liu, L.W., Duan, Y.H., Li, L.L., Xu, L.S., Yang, Y.S., Cu, X. (2020). Spatiotemporal trends of PM2.5 concentrations and typical regional pollutant transport during 2015–2018 in China. Urban Climate, 34.

  • Luo, X. S., Yu, S., & Li, X. D. (2011). Distribution, availability, and sources of trace metals in different particle size fractions of urban soils in Hong Kong: Implications for assessing the risk to human health. Environmental Pollution, 159, 1317–1326.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, X., Zhao, Z., Xie, J., Luo, J., Chen, Y, Li, H. et al. (2019). Pulmonary bioaccessibility of trace metals in PM2.5 from different megacities simulated by lung fluid extraction and DGT method. Chemosphere, 218, 915–921.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manousakas, M., Papaefthymiou, H., Diapouli, E., Migliori, A., Karydas, A. G., Bogdanovic-Radovic, I. et al. (2017). Assessment of PM2.5 sources and their corresponding level of uncertainty in a coastal urban area using EPA PMF 5.0 enhanced diagnostics. Science of the Total Environment, 574, 155–164.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mazziotti Tagliani, S., Carnevale, M., Armiento, G., Montereali, M. R., Nardi, E., Inglessis, M., et al. (2017). Content, mineral allocation and leaching behavior of heavy metals in urban PM2.5. Atmospheric Environment, 153, 47–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGowan, H., & Clark, A. (2008). Identification of dust transport pathways from Lake Eyre, Australia Using Hysplit. Atmospheric Environment, 42, 6915–6925.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meng, L., Yang, X., Zhao, T., He, Q., Mamtimin, A., Wang, M., et al. (2020). Simulated regional transport structures and budgets of dust aerosols during a typical springtime dust storm in the Tarim Basin, Northwest China. Atmospheric Research, 238, 104892.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Midander, K., Pan, J., Wallinder, I. O., & Leygraf, C. (2007). Metal release from stainless steel particles in vitro-influence of particle size. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 9, 74–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mo, J., Gong, S., Zhang, L., He, J., Lu, S., Zhou, Y., et al. (2021). Impacts of long-range transports from Central and South Asia on winter surface PM2.5 concentrations in China. Science of The Total Environment, 777, 146243.

  • Mukherjee, A,, Agrawal, M. (2018). Assessment of local and distant sources of urban PM2.5 in middle Indo-Gangetic plain of India using statistical modeling. Atmospheric Research, 213, 275–287.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Philip, S., Martin, R. V., van Donkelaar, A., Lo, J. W., Wang, Y., Chen, D., et al. (2014). Global chemical composition of ambient fine particulate matter for exposure assessment. Environmental Science and Technology, 48, 13060–13068.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qie, G., Wang, Y., Wu, C., Mao, H., Zhang, P., Li, T. et al. (2018). Distribution and sources of particulate mercury and other trace elements in PM2.5 and PM10 atop Mount Tai, China. The Journal of Environmental Management, 215, 195–205.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soleimani, M., Amini, N., Sadeghian, B., Wang, D. S., Fang, L. P. (2018). Heavy metals and their source identification in particulate matter (PM2.5) in Isfahan City, Iran. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 72, 166–175.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Su, L., Yuan, Z., Fung, J. C., & Lau, A. K. (2015). A comparison of HYSPLIT backward trajectories generated from two GDAS datasets. Science of the Total Environment, 506–507, 527–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, J., Shen, Z., Zhang, L., Lei, Y., Gong, X., Zhang, Q., et al. (2019). Chemical source profiles of urban fugitive dust PM2.5 samples from 21 cities across China. Science of the Total Environment, 649, 1045–1053.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Talbot, R., Mao, H., Feddersen, D., Smith, M., Kim, S. Y., Sive, B., et al. (2011). Comparison of particulate mercury measured with manual and automated methods. Atmosphere, 2, 1–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, J. H., Duan, J. C., Zhen, N. J., He, K. B., & Hao, J. M. (2016). Chemical characteristics and source of size-fractionated atmospheric particle in haze episode in Beijing. Atmospheric Research, 167, 24–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, Z-j, Hu, X., Chen, Y-j, Qiao, J-q, Lian, H-z. (2019). Assessment of in vitro inhalation bioaccessibility of airborne particle‒bound potentially toxic elements collected using quartz and PTFE filter. Atmospheric Environment, 196, 118–124.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uria-Tellaetxe, I., & Carslaw, D. C. (2014). Conditional bivariate probability function for source identification. Environmental Modelling & Software, 59, 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y. Q., Zhang, X. Y., & Draxler, R. R. (2009). TrajStat: GIS-based software that uses various trajectory statistical analysis methods to identify potential sources from long-term air pollution measurement data. Environmental Modelling & Software, 24, 938–939.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, K., Yin, H., & Chen, Y. (2019). The effect of environmental regulation on air quality: A study of new ambient air quality standards in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 215, 268–279.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Q. Y., Cao, J. J., Shen, Z. X., Tao, J., Xiao, S., Luo, L., et al. (2013). Chemical characteristics of PM2.5 during dust storms and air pollution events in Chengdu, China. Particuology, 11, 70–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, C., Wang, G., Wang, J., Li, J., Ren, Y., Zhang, L., et al. (2018a). Chemical characteristics of haze particles in Xi’an during Chinese Spring Festival: Impact of fireworks burning. Journal of Environmental Sciences (china), 71, 179–187.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, K., Duan, M., Liu, H., Zhou, Z., Deng, Y., Song, D., et al. (2018b). Characterizing the composition and evolution of firework-related components in air aerosols during the Spring Festival. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 40, 2761–2771.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, T., Liu, P., He, X., Xu, H., Shen, Z. (2021). Bioavailability of heavy metals bounded to PM2.5 in Xi'an, China: seasonal variation and health risk assessment. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 35844–35853.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Y., He, Q., Guo, L., Li, H., Zhang, H., Shao, M., et al. (2017). Source apportionment and toxicity of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by PMF: Quantifying the influence of coal usage in Taiyuan, China. Atmospheric Research, 193, 50–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, L., Wang, D., Fu, Q., Qiao, L., Wang, H., Li, L., et al. (2019). The effects of firework regulation on air quality and public health during the Chinese Spring Festival from 2013 to 2017 in a Chinese megacity. Environment International, 126, 96–106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Y., Deng, F., Man, H., Fu, M., Lv, Z., Xiao, Q., et al. (2019). Compliance and port air quality features with respect to ship fuel switching regulation: A field observation campaign, SEISO-Bohai. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 19, 4899–4916.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Yang, L., Chen, J., Mellouki, A., Jiang, P., Gao, Y., et al. (2017). Influence of fireworks displays on the chemical characteristics of PM2.5 in rural and suburban areas in Central and East China. Science of the Total Environment, 578, 476–484.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Zhou, X., Wang, Z., Yang, L., Wang, J., & Wang, W. (2018). Trace elements in PM2.5 in Shandong Province: Source identification and health risk assessment. Science of the Total Environment, 621, 558–577.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, W., & Hopke, P. K. (2004). Source apportionment for ambient particles in the San Gorgonio wilderness. Atmospheric Environment, 38, 5901–5910.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, H., Che, H., Xia, X., Wang, Y., Wang, H., Wang, P., et al. (2019). Climatology of mixing layer height in China based on multi-year meteorological data from 2000 to 2013. Atmospheric Environment, 213, 90–103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, N., Wang, G., Li, G., Lang, J., & Zhang, H. (2020). Air pollution episodes during the COVID-19 outbreak in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region of China: An insight into the transport pathways and source distribution. Environmental Pollution, 267, 115617.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, H., Kong, S., Yan, Q., Wu, F., Cheng, Y., Zheng, S. et al. (2019). The impacts of pollution control measures on PM2.5 reduction: Insights of chemical composition, source variation and health risk. Atmospheric Environment, 197, 103–117.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Yingbo Du, An Xu, Yewang Su, Xingyu Li, Yangshuo Liang, Benzhe Cai, Wenwen Zhang, and the research group of analytical geochemistry in State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology for their help in the sampling and testing process. The constructive comments of the three reviewers have greatly improved the quality of this work.

Funding

The research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2017YFC0212603); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41773124). Xinli Xing has received research support from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Studies & State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Weijie Liu, Yue Yu, Miao Li, Haikuo Yu, Mingming Shi, Cheng Cheng, Tianpeng Hu, Yao Mao, Lili Liang, Shihua Qi & Xinli Xing

  2. Hubei Key Laboratory of Mine Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, 435003, China

    Weijie Liu, Miao Li, Jiaquan Zhang & Xinli Xing

Authors
  1. Weijie Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yue Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Miao Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Haikuo Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mingming Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Cheng Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Tianpeng Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Yao Mao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Jiaquan Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Lili Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Shihua Qi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Xinli Xing
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by WL, YY, ML, HY, MS, CC, TH, and YM. The first draft of the manuscript was written by WL; writing—review and editing was conducted by XX; supervision and project Administration were conducted by JZ, LL, SQ, and XX. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xinli Xing.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Animal research

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 4031 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, W., Yu, Y., Li, M. et al. Bioavailability and regional transport of PM2.5 during heavy haze episode in typical coal city site of Fenwei Plain, China. Environ Geochem Health 45, 1933–1949 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01310-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01310-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation