Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Seasonal characteristics of chemical compositions and sources identification of PM2.5 in Zhuhai, China

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

Abstract

Fine particulate matter is associated with adverse health effects, but exactly which characteristics of PM2.5 are responsible for this is still widely debated. We evaluated seasonal dynamics of the composition and chemical characteristics of PM2.5 in Zhuhai, China. PM2.5 characteristics at five selected sites within Zhuhai city were analyzed. Sampling began on January 10, 2015, and was conducted for 1 year. The ambient mass concentration, carbon content (organic and elemental carbon, OC and EC), level of inorganic ions, and major chemical composition of PM2.5 were also determined. Average concentrations of PM2.5 were lower than the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) 24-h average of 65 μg/m3. The daily PM2.5 concentration in Zhuhai city exhibited clear seasonal dynamics, with higher daily PM2.5 concentrations in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Carbon species (OC and EC) and water-soluble ions were the primary components of the PM2.5 fraction of particles. Apart from OC and EC, chemical species in PM2.5 were mainly composed of NH4+ and SO42−. There was a marked difference between the summer and winter periods: the concentrations of OC and EC in winter were roughly 3.4 and 4.0 times than those in summer, while NH4+, SO42−, NO3−, and Na+ were 3.2, 4.5, 28.0, and 5.7 times higher in winter than those in summer, respectively. The results of chemical analysis were consistent with three sources dominating PM2.5: coal combustion, biomass burning, and vehicle exhaust; road dust and construction; and from reaction of HCl and HNO3 with NH3 to form NH4Cl and NH4NO3. However, additional work is needed to improve the mass balance and to obtain the source profiles necessary to use these data for source apportionment.

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
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cao, J. J., Wu, F., Chow, J. C., Lee, S. C., Li, Y., Chen, S. W., et al. (2005). Characterization and source apportionment of atmospheric organic and elemental carbon during fall and winter of 2003 in Xian, China. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 5(11), 3127–3137.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, S. Y., Chou, C. C. K., Liu, S., & Zhang, Y. H. (2013). The characteristics of PM2.5 and its chemical compositions between different prevailing wind patterns in Guangzhou. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 13(4), 1373–1383.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chow, J. C., Watson, J. G., Lu, Z., Lowenthal, D. H., Frazie, C. A., Solomon, P. A., et al. (1996). Descriptive analysis of PM2.5, and PM10, at regionally representative locations during SJVAQS/AUSPEX. Atmospheric Environment, 30(12), 2079–2112.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, C., Chen, J., Dong, L., & Jiang, H. (2012). Field investigation and modeling of runoff generation in a granitic catchment in Zhuhai, China. Journal of Hydrology, 458–459, 87–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, J., Tian, H., Cheng, K., Lu, L., Zheng, M., Wang, S., et al. (2015). The variation of chemical characteristics of PM2.5 and PM10 and formation causes during two haze pollution events in urban Beijing, China. Atmospheric Environment, 107, 1–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geller, M. D., Ntziachristos, L., Mamakos, A., Samaras, Z., Schmitz, D. A., Froines, J. R., et al. (2006). Physicochemical and redox characteristics of particulate matter (PM) emitted from gasoline and diesel passenger cars. Atmospheric Environment, 40(36), 6988–7004.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, H. A., Cass, G. R., Huntzicker, J. J., Heyerdahl, E. K., & Rau, J. A. (1986). Characteristics of atmospheric organic and elemental carbon particle concentrations in Los Angeles. Environmental Science and Technology, 20(6), 580–589.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, Z. G., Feng, J. L., Fang, M., Chen, H. Y., & Lau, K. H. (2004). The elemental and organic characteristics of PM2.5 in Asian dust episodes in Qingdao, China, 2002. Atmospheric Environment, 38(6), 909–919.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hang, N. T., & Oanh, N. T. K. (2014). Chemical characterization and sources apportionment of fine particulate pollution in a mining town of Vietnam. Atmospheric Research, 145, 214–225.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He, X., Li, C. C., Lau, A. K. H., Deng, Z. Z., Mao, J. T., Wang, M. H., et al. (2009). An intensive study of aerosol optical properties in Beijing urban area. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 9(22), 8903–8915.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He, Q. S., Yan, Y. L., Guo, L. L., Zhang, Y. L., Zhang, G. X., & Wang, X. M. (2017). Characterization and source analysis of water-soluble inorganic ionic species in PM2.5 in Taiyuan city, China. Atmospheric Research, 184, 48–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ikeda, K., Yamaji, K., Kanaya, Y., Taketani, F., Pan, X. L., Komazaki, Y., et al. (2014). Sensitivity analysis of source regions to PM2.5 concentration at Fukue Island, Japan. Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, 64(4), 445–452.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong, S., Han, B., Bai, Z., Chen, L., Shi, J., & Zhun, X. (2010). Receptor modeling of PM2.5, PM10 and TSP in different seasons and long-range transport analysis at a coastal site of Tianjin, China. Science of the Total Environment, 408(20), 4681–4694.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kulshrestha, A., Satsangi, P. G., Masih, J., & Taneja, A. (2009). Metal concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 particles and seasonal variations in urban and rural environment of Agra, India. Science of the Total Environment, 407(24), 6196–6204.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, J., Zhou, Y., Chen, D., Xing, X., Wei, L., Wang, X., et al. (2017). Investigating the contribution of shipping emissions to atmospheric PM2.5 using a combined source apportionment approach. Environmental Pollution, 229, 557–566.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, W. F., Bai, Z. P., Liu, A. X., Chen, J., & Chen, L. (2009). Characteristics of major PM2.5 components during winter in Tianjin, China. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 9(1), 105–119.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, G., Lei, W., Bei, N., & Molina, L. T. (2012). Contribution of garbage burning to chloride and PM2.5 in Mexico City. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 12(18), 8751–8761.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y.-C., Shu, M., Ho, S. S. H., Wang, C., Cao, J.-J., Wang, G.-H., et al. (2015). Characteristics of PM2.5 emitted from different cooking activities in China. Atmospheric Research, 166, 83–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, B., Song, N., Dai, Q., Mei, R., Sui, B., Bi, X., et al. (2016). Chemical composition and source apportionment of ambient PM2.5 during the non-heating period in Taian, China. Atmospheric Research, 170, 23–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Hong, Y., Fan, Q., Wang, X., Chan, P., Chen, X., et al. (2017). Source-receptor relationships for PM during typical pollution episodes in the Pearl River Delta city cluster, China. Science of the Total Environment, 596–597, 194–206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lonati, G., Giugliano, M., Butelli, P., Romele, L., & Tardivo, R. (2005). Major chemical components of PM2.5 in Milan (Italy). Atmospheric Environment, 39(10), 1925–1934.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lv, B., Zhang, B., & Bai, Y. (2016). A systematic analysis of PM2.5 in Beijing and its sources from 2000 to 2012. Atmospheric Environment, 124(Part B), 98–108.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, Y., Wang, Z., Tan, Y., Xu, S., Kong, S., Wu, G., et al. (2017). Comparison of inorganic chemical compositions of atmospheric TSP, PM10 and PM25 in northern and southern Chinese coastal cities. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 55(5), 339–353.

    Article  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 

  • Meng, C. C., Wang, L. T., Zhang, F. F., Wei, Z., Ma, S. M., Ma, X., et al. (2016). Characteristics of concentrations and water-soluble inorganic ions in PM2.5 in Handan City, Hebei province, China. Atmospheric Research, 171, 133–146.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naira, P. R., George, S. K., Sunilkumara, S. V., Parameswarana, K., Jacob, S., & Abraham, A. (2006). Chemical composition of aerosols over peninsular India during winter. Atmospheric Environment, 40(34), 6477–6493.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sena, E. T., Artaxo, P., & Correia, A. L. (2013). Spatial variability of the direct radiative forcing of biomass burning aerosols and the effects of land use change in Amazonia. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 13(3), 1261–1275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, J. H., Duan, J. C., Chen, D. H., Wang, X. H., Guo, S. J., Bi, X. H., et al. (2009). Chemical characteristics of haze during summer and winter in Guangzhou. Atmospheric Research, 94(2), 238–245.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taner, S., Pekey, B., & Pekey, H. (2013). Fine particulate matter in the indoor air of barbeque restaurants Elemental compositions, sources and health risks. Science of the Total Environment, 454, 79–87.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tao, J., Zhang, L., Ho, K., Zhang, R., Lin, Z., Zhang, Z., et al. (2014). Impact of PM2.5 chemical compositions on aerosol light scattering in Guangzhou: The largest megacity in South China. Atmospheric Research, 135–136, 48–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Viana, M., Maenhaut, W., ten Brink, H. M., Chi, X., Weijers, E., Querol, X., et al. (2007). Comparative analysis of organic and elemental carbon concentrations in carbonaceous aerosols in three European cities. Atmospheric Environment, 41(28), 5972–5983.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X. H., Bi, X. H., Sheng, G. Y., & Fu, J. M. (2006). Chemical composition and sources of PM10 and PM2.5 aerosols in Guangzhou, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 119(1), 425–439.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Q., Cao, J., Shen, Z., Tao, J., Xiao, S., Luo, L., et al. (2013a). Chemical characteristics of PM2.5 during dust storms and air pollution events in Chengdu, China. Particuology, 11(1), 70–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Cheng, S., Li, J., Lang, J., Wen, W., Yang, X., et al. (2015). Source apportionment and seasonal variation of PM2.5 carbonaceous aerosol in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region of China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 187(3), 143.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Hu, Z. M., Chen, Y. Y., Chen, Z. L., & Xu, S. Y. (2013b). Contamination characteristics and possible sources of PM10 and PM2.5 in different functional areas of Shanghai, China. Atmospheric Environment, 68, 221–229.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., Zhuang, G., Tang, A., Yuan, H., Sun, Y., Chen, S., et al. (2005). The ion chemistry and the source of PM2.5 aerosol in Beijing. Atmospheric Environment, 39(21), 3771–3784.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J. G., Chow, J. C., & Houck, J. E. (2001). PM2.5 chemical source profiles for vehicle exhaust, vegetative burning, geological material, and coal burning in Northwestern Colorado during 1995. Chemosphere, 43(8), 1141–1151.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, B., Shen, X., Cao, X., Yao, Z., & Wu, Y. (2016). Characterization of the chemical composition of PM2.5 emitted from on-road China III and China IV diesel trucks in Beijing, China. Science of The Total Environment, 551–552, 579–589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, L., Chen, X., Chen, J., Zhang, F., He, C., Zhao, J., et al. (2012). Seasonal variations and chemical compositions of PM2.5 aerosol in the urban area of Fuzhou, China. Atmospheric Research, 104–105, 264–272.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yin, L., Niu, Z., Chen, X., Chen, J., Zhang, F., & Xu, L. (2014). Characteristics of water-soluble inorganic ions in PM2.5 and PM2.5–10 in the coastal urban agglomeration along the Western Taiwan Strait Region, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21(7), 5141–5156.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, B., Shen, H., Huang, Y., Li, W., Chen, H., Zhang, Y., et al. (2015). Daily variations of size-segregated ambient particulate matter in Beijing. Environmental Pollution, 197, 36–42.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41701585, 41771027 and 41611140112); the Fundamental Research Fund for the Central Universities of China (17lgpy40); the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong, China (2017A030310309); Provincial Special Fund for Economic Development (Marine Economic Development) (GDME-2018E004), and the Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of the Water Sciences Department of Guangdong Province (2018–2021). We also thank the anonymous reviewers for their excellent comments and efforts.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Water Resources and Environment, School of Geographic Science and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 135, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou, 510275, People’s Republic of China

    Zuobing Liang, Jianyao Chen, Lei Gao, Aiping Zhu, Zhuowei Wang, Shaoheng Li, Jiju Shan, Yuemin Long, Chang Yan & Kai Zhang

  2. Zhuhai Environmental Protection Monitoring Station, Zhuhai, 519000, People’s Republic of China

    Xinfeng Zhao

Authors
  1. Zuobing Liang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xinfeng Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jianyao Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lei Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Aiping Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Zhuowei Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shaoheng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jiju Shan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Yuemin Long
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Chang Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Kai Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Xinfeng Zhao or Jianyao Chen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liang, Z., Zhao, X., Chen, J. et al. Seasonal characteristics of chemical compositions and sources identification of PM2.5 in Zhuhai, China. Environ Geochem Health 41, 715–728 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-018-0164-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-018-0164-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation