Ionic composition of submicron particles (PM1.0) during the long-lasting haze period in January 2013 in Wuhan, central China

Hairong Cheng, Wei Gong, Zuwu Wang*, Fan Zhang, Xinming Wang, Xiaopu Lv, Jia Liu, Xiaoxin Fu, Gan Zhang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

69 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In January 2013, a long-lasting severe haze episode occurred in Northern and Central China; at its maximum, it covered a land area of approximately 1.4 million km2. In Wuhan, the largest city in Central China, this event was the most severe haze episode in the 21st century. Aerosol samples of submicron particles (PM1.0) were collected during the long-lasting haze episode at an urban site and a suburban site in Wuhan to investigate the ion characteristics of PM1.0 in this area. The mass concentrations of PM1.0 and its water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) were almost at the same levels at two sites, which indicates that PM1.0 pollution occurs on a regional scale in Wuhan. WSIIs (Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, NO3- and SO42-) were the dominant chemical species and constituted up to 48.4% and 47.4% of PM1.0 at WD and TH, respectively. The concentrations of PM1.0 and WSIIs on haze days were approximately two times higher than on normal days. The ion balance calculations indicate that the particles were more acidic on haze days than on normal days. The results of the back trajectory analysis imply that the high concentrations of PM1.0 and its water-soluble inorganic ions may be caused by stagnant weather conditions in Wuhan.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)810-817
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Environmental Sciences (China)
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2014

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Environmental Science(all)

User-Defined Keywords

  • Back trajectory
  • Haze
  • Source
  • Water-soluble inorganic ions

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