Receptor modeling studies for the characterization of PM10 pollution sources in Belgrade

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the major sources and potential source regions of PM10 over Belgrade, Serbia. The PM10 samples were collected from July 2003 to December 2006 in very urban area of Belgrade and concentrations of Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The analysis of seasonal variations of PM10 mass and some element concentrations reported relatively higher concentrations in winter, what underlined the importance of local emission sources. The Unmix model was used for source apportionment purpose and the four main source profiles (fossil fuel combustion; traffic exhaust/regional transport from industrial centers; traffic related particles/site specific sources and mineral/crustal matter) were identified. Among the resolved factors the fossil fuel combustion was the highest contributor (34%) followed by traffic/regional industry (26%). Conditional probability function (CPF) results identified possible directions of local sources. The potential source contribution function (PSCF) and concentration weighted trajectory (CWT) receptor models were used to identify spatial source distribution and contribution of regional-scale transported aerosols.