Identifying Key Potential Source Areas for Ambient Methyl Mercaptan Pollution Based on Long-Term Environmental Monitoring Data in an Industrial Park

Abstract

Precise source identification for ambient pollution incidents in industrial parks were often difficult due to limited measurements. Source area analysis method was one of the applicable source identification methods, which could provide potential source areas under these circumstances. However, a source area usually covered several sources and the method was unable to identify the real one. This article introduces a case study on the statistical source identification of methyl mercaptan based on the long-term measurements, in 2014, in an industrial park. A procedure for statistical source area analysis was established, which contains independent pollution episode extraction, source area calculation scenario definition, meteorological data selection, and source area statistical analysis. A total of 414 violation records were detected by five monitors inside the park. Three kinds of calculation scenarios were found and, finally, three key source areas were revealed. The typical scenarios of source area calculations were described in detail. The characteristics of the statistical source areas for all pollution episodes were examined. Finally, the applicability of the method, as well as the source of uncertainties, was discussed. This study shows that more concentrated source areas can be identified through the statistical source area method if several excessive emission sources exist in an industrial park.