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

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) Vol. 17; no. 6; pp. 3189 - 3198
• Main Authors: Phan, C. C., Nguyen, T. Q. H., Nguyen, M. K., Park, K.-H., Bae, G.-N., Seung-bok, L., Bach, Q.-V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-06-2020
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; Original Paper; Soil Science & Conservation; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Vietnam; Black carbon; Ho Chi Minh City; PM; Aerosol
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-020-02640-0

In this study, we compared particulate matter (PM) measurements (including PM
10
, PM
2.5
, 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. PM
10
and PM
2.5
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 PM
10
and PM
2.5
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.