Characterisation of urban aerosol size distribution by radiocarbon and PIXE analyses in a middle-European urban environment for source identification: a pilot study

Abstract

AbstractThis study, conducted in Debrecen, Hungary, aimed to analyse atmospheric particulate matter (APM or PM) through radiocarbon and PIXE analyses during the winter smog (23–25 January) and spring (15–18 May) seasons. The information presented in this pilot study aims to provide insight into the importance of utilising detailed characteristics of the mass size distributions of fossil carbon (ff) and contemporary carbon (fC) content. Additionally, it seeks to compare these characteristics with the size distributions of various elements to enable even more accurate PM source identification. In winter, APM concentrations were 86.27 μg/m3 (total), 17.07 μg/m3 (fC) and 10.4 μg/m3 (ff). In spring, these values changed to 29.5 μg/m3, 2.64 μg/m3 and 7.01 μg/m3, respectively. Notably, differences in mass size distribution patterns were observed between the two seasons, suggesting varied sources for contemporary carbon. Biomass burning emerged as a crucial source during the smog period, supported by similar MMAD (Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter) values and a strong correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.01) between potassium and fC. In spring, a significant change in the concentration and distribution of fC occurred, with a broad, coarse mode and a less prominent accumulation mode. Ff was found to have similar distributions as PM, with nearly the same MMADs, during both periods. Finally, a comprehensive comparison of modal characteristics identified specific sources for the various components, including biomass burning, vehicle exhaust, coal and oil combustion, vehicle non-exhaust, road dust, tyre abrasion, mineral dust and biogenic emission. This study showcases how using radiocarbon and PIXE analysis in size distribution data can enhance our understanding of the sources of PM and their effects on different size fractions of PM.