Seasonal variation and size distribution of inorganic and carbonaceous components, source identification of size-fractioned urban air particles in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 287; p. 132309
• Main Authors: Jamhari, Anas Ahmad, Latif, Mohd Talib, Wahab, Muhammad Ikram A., Hassan, Hanashriah, Othman, Murnira, Abd Hamid, Haris Hafizal, Tekasakul, Perapong, Phairuang, Worradorn, Hata, Mitsuhiko, Furuchi, Masami, Rajab, Nor Fadilah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2022
• Subjects: Carbonaceous aerosol; Positive matrix factorization; Size distribution; Size-segregated PM; Water-soluble inorganic ions; Size-segregated PM; Size distribution; Water-soluble inorganic ions; Carbonaceous aerosol; Positive matrix factorization
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132309

This study aims to determine the inorganic and carbonaceous components depending on the seasonal variation and size distribution of urban air particles in Kuala Lumpur. Different fractions of particulate matter (PM) were measured using a Nanosampler from 17 February 2017 until 27 November 2017. The water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) and carbonaceous components in all samples were analysed using ion chromatography and carbon analyser thermal/optical reflectance, respectively. Total PM concentration reached its peak during the southwest (SW) season (70.99 ± 6.04 μg/m3), and the greatest accumulation were observed at PM0.5–1.0 (22%–30%, 9.55 ± 1.03 μg/m3) and PM2.5–10 (22%–25%, 10.34 ± 0.81 μg/m3). SO42−, NO3− and NH4+ were major contributors of WSIIs, and their formation was favoured mainly during SW season (80.5% of total ions). PM0.5–1.0 and PM2.5–10 exhibited the highest percentage of WSII size distribution, accounted for 28.4% and 13.5% of the total mass, respectively. The average contribution of carbonaceous species (OC + EC) to total carbonaceous concentrations were higher in PM0.5–1.0 (35.2%) and PM2.5–10 (26.6%). Ultrafine particles (PM<0.1) consistently indicated that the sources were from vehicle emission while the SW season was constantly dominated by biomass burning sources. Using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, secondary inorganic aerosol and biomass burning (30.3%) was known as a significant source of overall PM. As a conclusion, ratio and source apportionment indicate the mixture of biomass burning, secondary inorganic aerosols and motor vehicle contributed to the size-segregated PM and seasonal variation of inorganic and carbonaceous components of urban air particles.
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•Size-segregated air particles in Kuala Lumpur were studied during different seasons.•SW monsoon recorded maximum concentration between each segregated particle size.•PM0.5–1.0 and PM2.5–10 have the highest concentrations of PM, WSIIs and carbonaceous.•Sulphate, nitrate and ammonium were the major contributors of WSIIs.•Source identification showed air particles were from biomass burning and traffic.