Study on the Characteristics of PM2.5 Components from Emission Sources in Chungcheongnam-do

Abstract

We conducted a principal component analysis of PM 2.5 (particles with a diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) at four sites located in Chungcheongnam-do, a province of South Korea, to determine the level of pollution and characteristics of PM 2.5 components at each emission source. The four monitoring sites included a steel complex near Songsan-myeon (SS) area, a petrochemical complex near Dokgot-ri (DG) area, a residential complex near Mojong-dong (MJ) area, and a village near Naepo (NP) area. Samples collected at these sites were analyzed and the concentrations of mass, ion, carbon, and element in PM 2.5 were compared. The mass concentrations were found to be the highest in SS, followed by MJ, DG, and NP. The concentration of dominant ion species were recorded in a ascending order of NO 3- > SO 42+ > NH 4+ in MJ and SO 42- > NO 3- > NH 4+ in SS, DG, and NP. The results indicate that MJ had the highest NO x concentration, which is emitted by automobiles. Moreover, MJ exhibited the highest organic carbon concentration of 5.67 μg/m 3 and elemental carbon concentration of 0.51 μg/m 3 . The analysis of the elemental composition of PM 2.5 indicated a significantly higher concentration of Fe, Zn, and Mn in SS and As, V, and Ni in DG. Different component analysis results from each emission source suggest the need to under-stand the distribution of pollutants in each region while establishing measures to reduce PM 2.5 levels.