Ambient air particulates-bound metallic elements sources identifications during winter and summer at a Science Park

The ambient air particulates pollutants of total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5 were collected by using PS-1 and Wilbur PM_2.5 sampler, simultaneously during the year of 2015–2017 at a photoelectric factory in Science Park of central Taiwan. And those of the ambient air atmospheric metallic elements (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb) concentrations which attached on the TSP and PM_2.5 were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. In addition, identifying anthropogenic and natural pollutants sources were conducted by using the enrichment factor (EF) and principal component analysis (PCA) methods. The results indicated that the average TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations were ranked highest in winter season, while summer season was ranked lowest during the year of 2015–2016. In addition, the average highest metallic element concentrations were occurred in winter season for both TSP and PM_2.5 during the year of 2015–2016, while the average lowest metallic elements concentrations in TSP and PM_2.5 were also occurred in winter season during the year of 2016–2017. Moreover, the EF analysis results showed that the metallic element Zn came from anthropogenic emission source. As for metallic element Mn, the results showed that metallic element Mn was mainly attributed to natural emission in this study. Finally, the PCA results showed that metallic elements Cr, Zn and Pb were the dominant emissions metallic elements in this study. As for PM_2.5, the results showed that the metallic elements Cr, Cu and Pb were the dominant emissions metallic elements at this HPB sampling site.

     

Comparisons of ambient air particulates concentrations (TSP,PM2.5) and dry depositions during smog and non-smog periods at Luliao,Shalu District sampling site

The concentrations of ambient total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5, and the dry depositions at a sample site at Luliao Junior High School (Luliao) in central Taiwan were measured during smog and non-smog days between December 2017 and July 2018. The results are compared to those obtained during non-smog periods in the years 2015–2017. The mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations and dry deposition flux were 72.41?±?26.40, 41.88?±?23.51?μg/m³, and 797.57?±?731.46?μg/m² min, respectively, on the smog days. The mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations and dry deposition flux on the non-smog days were 56.39?±?18.08, 34.81?±?12.59?μg/m³ and 468.93?±?600.57?μg/m² min, respectively. The mean TSP concentration in the smog period was 28% greater than that in the non-smog period, and the mean PM_2.5 concentration was 20% higher. The mean dry deposition flux in the smog period was 70% higher than that in the non-smog period at Luliao. The PM_2.5 concentrations exceeded the standards set by the Taiwan EPA (35?μg/m³ daily, and 15?μg/m³ annually). Therefore, the TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations and dry deposition must be reduced in central Taiwan on smog days. In addition, atmospheric TSP and PM_2.5 concentrations at various sampling sites were compared, and those herein were not higher than those measured in other countries. Finally, apart from the local traffic emissions, during smog periods, the other pollution source originated from the transportation process of traffic pollutants emitted in the northwest side of Taiwan.     

Study of the ambient air metallic elements Cr,Cu, Zn,Cd and Pb at HAF sampling sites

This study characterized diurnal variations in the compositions of total suspended particulates (TSP) and dry deposits of particulates from ambient air, and the metallic elements that are contained in them at harbor, airport and farmland (HAF) sampling sites from August, 2013 to July, 2014. Two-way ANOVA of the amounts of metallic elements in the TSP and dry deposits was carried out in all four seasons at the HAF sampling sites. The metallic elements Cr and Cu originated in local emission sources at the airport. Metallic elements Zn and Pb originated in local emission sources at the harbor. Finally, metallic element Cd originated in local emissions form farmland. The following results were also obtained. (1) The metallic composition of the TSP differed significantly from that of the dry deposits in all four seasons at the harbor and farmland sampling sites, but not at the airport sampling site. (2) High correlations coefficients were found between the amounts of metallic elements Cr and Cu in the TSP and those in the dry deposits at the airport sampling site. (3) Pb was present in the TSP and the dry deposits at the harbor sampling site.