Systematic sampling and analysis were performed to investigate the dynamics and the origin of suspended particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), in Beijing, China from 2005 to 2008. Identifying the source of PM2.5 was the main goal of this project, which was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The concentrations of 19 elements, black carbon (BC) and the total mass in 158 weekly PM2.5 samples were measured. The statistical evaluation of the data from factor analysis (FA) identifies four main sources responsible for PM2.5 in Beijing: (1) a combination of long-range transport geogenic soil particles, geogenic-like particles from construction sites and the anthropogenic emissions from steel factories; (2) road traffic, industry emissions and domestic heating; (3) local re-suspended soil particles; (4) re-suspended particles from refuse disposal/landfills and uncontrolled dumped waste. Special attention has been paid to seven high concentration “episodes”, which were further analyzed by FA, enrichment factor analysis (EF), elemental signatures and backward-trajectory analysis. These results suggest that long-range transport soil particles contribute much to the high concentration of PM2.5 during dust days. This is supported by mineral analysis which showed a clear imprint of component in PM2.5. Furthermore, the ratios of Mg/Al have been proved to be a good signature to trace back different source areas. The Pb/Ti ratio allows the distinction between periods of predominant anthropogenic and geogenic sources during high concentration episodes. Backward-trajectory analysis clearly shows the origins of these episodes, which partly corroborate the FA and EF results. This study is only a small contribution to the understanding of the meteorological and source driven dynamics of PM2.5 concentrations.
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