Physical and chemical characterization of the particulate matter suspended in aerosols from the urban area of Belgrade

Abstract

Within this study, attempts were made to characterize the coarse and fine particulate aerosol fractions in urban area of Belgrade and define the inorganic chemical composition of the aerosol fractions. For this purpose, daily deposits of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 aerosol fractions were collected during spring and autumn sampling periods in 2007 and analyzed for the PM mass concentrations, trace elements and secondary ions. The results obtained in the two campaigns showed average daily mass concentrations of 37 and 44 ?g/m3 for PM10, 22 and 23 ?g/m3 for PM2.5 and 15 and 17 ?g/m3 for the finest particulate matter fraction PM1 with the maximums exceeding the limit values set by the EU air quality regulations. A correlation with the gas-phase ambient air pollutants SO2, NO2 and O3 was found and is discussed. The concentrations of trace elements (Mg, Al, K, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb and Th) and secondary ions (NO3 -, SO4 2-, NH4 +, K+, Ca2+ and Na+) determined in the PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 aerosol fractions showed levels and distributions indicating soil and traffic-related sources as the main pollution sources. This study was conducted as the first step of PM assessment in order to point out main air pollution sources and suggest a remedy strategy specific for this region.