Ambient suspended particulate matter and ionic speciation in Asian countries during 1998—2007

Abstract

Atmospheric acid precursor emissions in Asia are increasing at a significant rate. This is expected to continue for the next several years. This main purpose for this study is to observe the concentration variations of PM2.5, PM2.5-10 , PM10, total suspended particulates (TSP), atmospheric particulates, and dry deposition fluxes of ionic species in Asian countries during the years 1998—2007. The results show that the average ionic species concentration order for chloride ions (Cl—) in PM 10 was China > Taiwan > Korea. The average ionic species concentration order for nitrate ions (NO3—) species in PM 10 was China > Taiwan > Korea for Asian countries. In addition, the average ionic species sulfate ion (SO42— ) concentrations in PM10 were 13.248 and 18.497 (μg/m 3) in Taiwan and China, respectively, during the years 1998—2006. However, the average ionic species concentrations order for ammonium ions (NH4+) in PM10 was Taiwan > China > Korea the years 2000—2006. Moreover, the average ionic species concentration order for chloride ions (Cl—) in PM2.5 was Japan> Taiwan> Korea> China in the years 1998—2006. And the average ionic species concentration order for nitrate ions (NO3—) in PM2.5 was Korea > China > Japan > Taiwan for Asian countries during 1998—2006. Moreover, the average ionic species concentration order for sulfate ions (SO42—) in PM 2.5 was China > Korea > Taiwan > Japan in the years 1998—2006. As for the average ionic species concentration order for ammonium ion (NH 4+) in PM2.5, China > Taiwan > Japan > Korea in the years 1999—2006. Finally, the mean ionic species of nitrate ions (NO3—), sulfate ions (SO42 —) and ammonium ions (NH4+) were found highest in China compared with the rest of the other Asian countries during the years 1998—2006.