Insight into the critical factors determining the particle number concentrations during summer at a megacity in China

To identify the critical factors impacting the number concentration of particles with the aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 μm(PNC_(2.5)), the continuous measurement of PNC_(2.5),chemical components in PM_(2.5), gaseous pollutants and meteorological conditions were conducted at an urban site in Tianjin in June 2015. Results indicated that the average PNC_(2.5) was 2839 ± 2430 d N/dlog Dp 1/cm^3 during the campaign. Compared to other meteorological parameters, the relative humidity(RH) had the strongest relationship with PNC_(2.5), with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.53, and RH larger than 30% influenced strongly PNC_(2.5).The important influence of secondary reactions on PNC_(2.5) was inferred due to higher correlation coefficients between PNC_(2.5) and SO_4^(2-), NO_3^-, NH_4^+(r = 0.78–0.89; p < 0.01) and between PNC_(2.5) and ratios that represent the conversion of nitrogen and sulfur oxides to particulate matter(r = 0.42–0.49; p < 0.01). Under specific RH conditions, there were even stronger correlations between PNC_(2.5) and NO_3^-, SO_4^(2-), NH_4^+, while those between PNC_(2.5) and EC, OC were relatively weak, especially when RH exceeded 50%. Principal component analysis(PCA) and Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that secondary sources, vehicle emission and coal combustion might be major contributors to PNC_(2.5). Backward trajectory and potential source contribution function(PSCF) analysis suggested that the transport of air masses originated from these regions around Tianjin(Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong and Jiangsu) influenced critically PNC_(2.5). The north of Jiangsu, the west of Shandong, and the east of Hebei were distinguished as major potential source-areas of PNC_(2.5) by PSCF model.