Aerosol mass and major composition characterization of ambient air in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

In this study, we compared particulate matter (PM) measurements (including PM10, PM2.5, heavy metals, and black carbon) between the 2014 rainy season (August–October) and dry season (March–May) in different urban areas within Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations varied widely among the sampling sites during each season, with relative PM concentrations increasing in the following order: city zoo < rural area < residential area < roadside < city road. Higher PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations observed on roads and at roadsides were strongly correlated with vehicle activity. Heavy metals were found to be important atmospheric PM components ranged from 131.77 ± 42.13 to 233.13 ± 79.88 µg m−3. Changes in black carbon concentration in Ho Chi Minh City may have been related to changes in meteorological conditions and may in turn influence ambient air quality. These results provide useful reference information for urban development planning and environmental policy.