Size-segregated mass concentration and water soluble inorganic ions in an urban aerosol of the Central Balkans (Belgrade)

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) Vol. 46; pp. 309 - 317
• Main Authors: Đorđević, D., Mihajlidi-Zelić, A., Relić, D., Ignjatović, Lj, Huremović, J., Stortini, A.M., Gambaro, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aerosols; ammonium compounds; Applied sciences; atmospheric chemistry; Atmospheric pollution; calcium; Chemical analysis; chlorides; Correlation; Exact sciences and technology; Gravimetric analysis; inorganic ions; ion exchange chromatography; ions; magnesium; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; nitrates; Particle size distribution; phosphates; Pollution; potassium; principal component analysis; Size distribution; sodium; traffic; Urban aerosols; Water soluble main ions; Balkans; Europe, Balkans; Water soluble main ions; Size distribution; Urban aerosols; Sulfur compounds; Gravimetric analysis; Uncertainty; Chemical analysis; Urban traffic; Inorganic ion; Identification; Urban area; Sulfur dioxide; Concentration measurement; Ion chromatography; Particle size distribution; Correlation analysis; Pollution source; Aerosols; Air pollution; Principal component analysis
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.09.057

The distribution of nano/micron inorganic main ions in the size-segregated urban aerosol of Belgrade center was studied during the summer–autumn of 2008. The particle size distribution in the size ranges
D
p
≤
0.49
μm, 0.49
≤
D
p
≤
0.95
μm, 0.95
≤
D
p
≤
1.5
μm, 1.5
≤
D
p
≤
3.0
μm, 3.0
≤
D
p ≤
7.2
μm and
D
p
≥
7.2
μm was measured. The aerosol samples were submitted to gravimetric and chemical analyses. The obtained mean mass concentration of the PM fractions was in accordance with an urban aerosol distribution. The aerosol mass concentrations were determined by gravimetric measurements (
m
GM) and, analyzed by ion chromatography for Na
+, NH
4
+, K
+, Mg
2+, Ca
2+, Cl
−, NO
3
−, PO
4
3− and SO
4
2−. The mean random uncertainties associated with the determinations of Na
+, NH
4
+, K
+, Mg
2+, Ca
2+, Cl
−, NO
3
− and SO
4
2− were assessed. The absolute highest concentration is found for SO
4
2− (1555.8
±
973.6
ng
m
−3) in the range of
D
p
≤
0.49
μm with an average participation of 8.19% to the total mass of the particles. The highest coefficients of correlation were found between NH
4
+ and SO
4
2−. Principal component analysis, PCA, was used for the identification and evaluation of the contributions of the main emission sources to the contents of water soluble ions in the urban aerosol. The formation of (NH
4)
2SO
4 was found to be the dominant process. The influences of local urban (traffic) and regional industrial sources (nearby city Pančevo) were identified and a contribution of marine aerosol was observed.
► The obtained distribution of the mean aerosol mass concentration was in accordance with an urban aerosol distribution. ► The absolute highest concentration is found for SO
4
2− in nuclei mode with an average participation of 8.19%. ► The contribution of marine aerosol was identified as a significant component.