The characterization of fine particulate matter downwind of Houston: Using integrated factor analysis to identify anthropogenic and natural sources.

The characterization of fine particulate matter downwind of Houston: Using integrated factor analysis to identify anthropogenic and natural sources. Environ Pollut. 2020 Jul;262:114345 Authors: Sadeghi B, Choi Y, Yoon S, Flynn J, Kotsakis A, Lee S Abstract The interpretation of large air pollution datasets involves a great deal of complexity. To gain a better understanding of the complicated relationships and patterns within datasets, we perform factor analysis. Between December 2015 and December 2017, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected at a suburban site northeast of the Houston metropolitan area, TX. A total of 233 filter samples were analyzed for chemical composition. The average of all PM2.5 samples consisted of 38.1% inorganic ions, 28.9% elements, 29.1% organic carbon, and 3.7% elemental carbon and other organic materials. Principal component analysis and positive matrix factorization were utilized to identify eight factors: regional aerosols, biomass burning, gasoline combustion, industry, crustal material, incineration, marine dust, and fireworks. The first three contributed more than 70% of the total PM2.5 mass. The receptor models also captured the impact of fireworks and classified it as a source of PM2.5 over Houston. To identify the origins of air masses transporting PM2.5 to the site, we applied the NOAA hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory model and performed a cluster analysis of...
Source: Environmental Pollution - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Environ Pollut Source Type: research