Publication
Title
Appraisal of measurement methods, chemical composition and sources of fine atmospheric particles over six different areas of Northern Belgium
Author
Abstract
Daily and seasonal variation in the total elemental, organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) content and mass of PM2.5 were studied at industrial, urban, suburban and agricultural/rural areas. Continuous (optical Dustscan, standard tapered element oscillating micro-balance (TEOM), TEOM with filter dynamics measurement system), semi-continuous (Partisol filter-sampling) and non-continuous (Dekati-impactor sampling and gravimetry) methods of PM2.5 mass monitoring were critically evaluated. The average elemental fraction accounted for 26% of the PM2.5 mass measured by gravimetry. Metals, like K, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb were strongly inter-correlated, also frequently with non-metallic elements (P, S, Cl and/or Br) and EC/OC. A high OC/EC ratio (29) was generally observed. The total carbon content of PM2.5 ranged between 3 and 77% (averages: 1232%), peaking near industrial/heavy trafficked sites. Principal component analysis identified heavy oil burning, ferrous/non-ferrous industry and vehicular emissions as the main sources of metal pollution. This work compares various aerosol monitoring methods to characterize PM2.5 over six locations of different anthropogenic activities over Northern Belgium.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Environmental pollution. - London, 1987, currens
Publication
London : 2010
ISSN
0269-7491 [print]
1873-6424 [online]
Volume/pages
158 :11 (2010) , p. 3421-3430
ISI
000282563200009
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 19.10.2010
Last edited 23.08.2022
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