PM_2.5 particulates and particulate-bound mercury Hg(p) concentrations in a mixed urban, residential, traffic-heavy, and industrial site

ABSTRACT

This study analyzes the concentrations of ambient fine particulates and particulate-bound mercury Hg(p) at sampling sites in various areas in central Taiwan during a sampling period from January to April 2015. A Wilbur PM_2.5 sampler was used to collect PM_2.5 from ambient air and a DMA-80 direct mercury analyzer was used to analyze the concentration of mercury Hg(p) that was attached to PM_2.5. The results show that the mean PM_2.5 and Hg(p) concentrations were highest in March. The Chinese Lantern Festival and the “Faithful Pilgrims Who Follow Matsu through Taiwan” are hosted in this month. Many fireworks and firecrackers are let off at this time, releasing particulate matter into the atmosphere, increasing the concentrations of atmospheric particulate pollutants. The highest average PM_2.5 concentrations were measured in January. A dust storm in Mainland China may have been responsible for this result. February saw the lowest mean PM_2.5 recorded in this study, possibly because commercial districts and factories were closed in February for Chinese Lunar New Year. April saw the highest mean wind speed, diluting particulate pollutants in ambient air.

KEYWORDS:

• Particulates in ambient air
• mercury
• DMA-80
• ANOVA and t test

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the National Science Council of the ROC (Taiwan) for its financial support under project No. NSC 103-2221-E-241-004-MY3.