Source apportionment of fine particles and its chemical components over the Yangtze River Delta, China during a heavy haze pollution episode. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, L.; An, J.Y.; Zhou, M.; Yan, R.S.; Huang, C.; Lu, Q.; Lin, L.; Wang, Y.J.; Tao, S.K.; Qiao, L.P.; Zhu, S.H.; Chen, C.H.
• Is Part Of: Atmospheric environment. Volume 123:Part B(2015)
• Page Start: 415
• Page End: 429
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Fine particulate matter -- Particulate matter source apportionment technology -- Yangtze River Delta -- CAMx; Air -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Meteorological aspects -- Periodicals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2015.06.051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-2310

Abstract

Abstract: An extremely high PM2.5 pollution episode occurred over the eastern China in January 2013. In this paper, the particulate matter source apportionment technology (PSAT) method coupled within the Comprehensive air quality model with extensions (CAMx) is applied to study the source contributions to PM2.5 and its major components at six receptors (Urban Shanghai, Chongming, Dianshan Lake, Urban Suzhou, Hangzhou and Zhoushan) in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. Contributions from 4 source areas (including Shanghai, South Jiangsu, North Zhejiang and Super-region) and 9 emission sectors (including power plants, industrial boilers and kilns, industrial processing, mobile source, residential, volatile emissions, dust, agriculture and biogenic emissions) to PM2.5 and its major components (sulfate, nitrate, ammonia, organic carbon and elemental carbon) at the six receptors in the YRD region are quantified. Results show that accumulation of local pollution was the largest contributor during this air pollution episode in urban Shanghai (55%) and Suzhou (46%), followed by long-range transport (37% contribution to Shanghai and 44% to Suzhou). Super-regional emissions play an important role in PM2.5 formation at Hangzhou (48%) and Zhoushan site (68%). Among the emission sectors contributing to the high pollution episode, the major source categories include industrial processing (with contributions ranging between 12.7 and 38.7% at different receptors), combustion source (21.7–37.3%), mobile source (7.5–17.7%) and fugitive dust (8.4–27.3%). Agricultural contribution is also very significant at Zhoushan site (24.5%). In terms of the PM2.5 major components, it is found that industrial boilers and kilns are the major source contributor to sulfate and nitrate. Volatile emission source and agriculture are the major contributors to ammonia; transport is the largest contributor to elemental carbon. Industrial processing, volatile emissions and mobile source are the most significant contributors to organic carbon. Results show that the Yangtze River Delta region should focus on the joint pollution control of industrial processing, combustion emissions, mobile source emissions, and fugitive dust. Regional transport of air pollution among the cities are prominent, and the implementation of regional joint prevention and control of air pollution will help to alleviate fine particulate matter concentrations under heavy pollution case significantly. Highlights: A high PM2.5 episode over the YRD was simulated using the CMAQ modeling system. Particulate matter source apportionment technology was applied to study the sources contributing to PM2.5 . Regional and source category contributions to PM2.5 in the YRD were analyzed.