Compositions and sources of organic acids in fine particles(PM_(2.5)) over the Pearl River Delta region, south China

Organic acids as important constituents of organic aerosols not only influence the aerosols＇ hygroscopic property, but also enhance the formation of new particles and secondary organic aerosols. This study reported organic acids including C14-C32 fatty acids, C4-C9 dicarboxylic acids and aromatic acids in PM2.5 collected during winter 2009 at six typical urban, suburban and rural sites in the Pearl River Delta region. Averaged concentrations of C14-C32 fatty acids, aromatic acids and C4- C9 dicarboxylic acids were 157, 72.5 and 50.7 ng/m3, respectively. They totally accounted for 1.7% of measured organic carbon. C20-C32 fatty acids mainly deriving from higher plant wax showed the highest concentration at the upwind rural site with more vegetation around, while Cl4-C18 fatty acids were more abundant at urban and suburban sites, and dicarboxylic acids and aromatic acids except 1,4-phthalic acid peaked at the downwind rural site. Succinic and azelaic acid were the most abundant among C4-C9 dicarboxylic acids, and 1,2-phthalic and 1,4-phthalic acid were dominant aromatic acids. Dicarboxylic acids and aromatic acids exhibited significant mutual correlations except for 1,4-phthalic acid, which was probably primarily emitted from combustion of solid wastes containing polyethylene terephthalate plastics. Spatial patterns and correlations with typical source tracers suggested that C14-C32 fatty acids were mainly primary while dicarboxylic and aromatic acids were largely secondary. Principal component analysis resolved six sources including biomass burning, natural higher plant wax, two mixed anthropogenic and two secondary sources; further multiple linear regression revealed their contributions to individual organic acids. It turned out that more than 70% of C14-C18 fatty acids were attributed to anthropogenic sources, about 50%-85% of the C20-C32 fatty acids were attributed to natural sources, 80%-95% of dicarboxylic acids and 1,2-phthalic acid were secondary in contrast with that 81% of 1,4-phthalic acid was primary.

Wet and dry deposition fluxes of heavy metals in Pearl River Delta Region(China):Characteristics,ecological risk assessment,and source apportionment

The atmospheric deposition of heavy metals poses serious risks to the ecological system and human health. To advance our knowledge of atmospheric dry/wet heavy metal deposition in the PRD region, monthly fluxes were examined based on soluble/insoluble fractions of five heavy metal elements（Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr and Zn） in samples collected from January 2014 to December 2015 at Guangzhou（urban） and Dinghushan（suburban） sites. The ratios of wet/dry deposition fluxes indicated that heavy metal deposition was governed by wet deposition rather than dry deposition in the PRD region. Affected by the shifting of the Asian monsoon, wet deposition fluxes exhibited significant seasonal variation between summer monsoon seasons（April to September） and winter monsoon seasons（October to February） in this region. Cd was classified as an extremely strong potential ecological risk based on solubility and the Hakanson ecological risk index. Source contributions to wet deposition were calculated by PMF, suggesting that dust, biomass burning, industries,vehicles, long-range transport and marine aerosol sources in Guangzhou, and Zn fertilizers,marine aerosol sources, agriculture, incense burning, biomass burning, vehicles and the ceramics industry in Dinghushan, were the potential sources of heavy metals.

Long-term trends and response of wet ammonia deposition to changes in anthropogenic emissions in the Pearl River delta of China

The Pearl River Delta(PRD)region has been identified as a significant hotspot of wet ammonium deposition.However,the absence of long-term monitoring data in the area hinders the comprehension of the historical trends and changes in wet NH_(4)^(+)-N deposition in response to emissions,which interferes with the ability to make effective decisions.This study has analyzed the long-term trends of wet NH_(4)^(+)-N deposition flux and has quantified the effect of anthropogenic emissions and meteorological factors at a typical urban site and a typical forest site in the PRD region from 2009 to 2020.It revealed a significant decreasing trend in wet NH_(4)^(+)-N flux in both the typical urban and forest areas of the PRD region,at-6.2%/year(p<0.001)and-3.3%/year(p<0.001),respectively.Anthropogenic emissions are thought to have contributed 47%–57%of the wet NH_(4)^(+)-N deposition trend over the past 12 years compared to meteorological factors.Meteorological conditions dominated the interannual fluctuations in wet NH_(4)^(+)-N deposition with an absolute contribution of 46%–52%,while anthropogenic emissions change alone explained 10%–31%.NH_(3)emissions have the greatest impact on the urban area among anthropogenic emission factors,while SO_(2)emissions have the greatest impact on the forest area.Additionally,precipitation was identified as the primary meteorological driver for both sites.Our findings also imply that the benefits of NH_(3)emissions reductions might not immediately emerge due to interference from weather-related factors.