Characterization, meteorological influences and source identification of carbonaceous aerosols during the autumn-winter period in Tianjin, China

Abstract

Organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) were measured in PM 2.5 and PM 10 at urban and suburban sites in Tianjin, China, from September 2009 to February 2010. Average PM 2.5 and PM 10 mass levels were 124 and 243 μg/m 3, respectively, with 53% of the PM 10 mass present as PM 2.5. The average OC and EC concentrations in PM 2.5 were 14.5 and 4.3 μg/m 3, respectively, while those in PM 10 were 33 and 6.1 μg/m 3, respectively. Relation of OC and EC to the trace elements As, Zn, K and Pb and principal component analysis indicated that multiple sources contributed to the OC and EC. Secondary organic carbon was found to constitute 46% and 66% of the total organic carbon in PM 2.5 and PM 10, respectively, in autumn and 41% and 56%, respectively in winter. © Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research.