abstract
An atmospheric aerosol study was performed in 2008 inside an urban road tunnel, in Lisbon, Portugal. Using a high volume impactor, the aerosol was collected into four size fractions (PM0.5, PM0.5-1, PM1-2.5 and PM2.5-10) and analysed for particle mass (PM), organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), soluble inorganic ions and elemental composition. Three main groups of compounds were discriminated in the tunnel aerosol: carbonaceous, soil component and vehicle mechanical wear. Measurements indicate that Cu can be a good tracer for wear emissions of road traffic. Cu levels correlate strongly with Fe, Mn, Sn and Cr, showing a highly linear constant ratio in all size ranges, suggesting a unique origin through sizes. Ratios of Cu with other elements can be used to source apportion the trace elements present in urban atmospheres, mainly on what concerns coarse aerosol particles. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
keywords
PARTICULATE MATTER EMISSIONS; TRACE-METAL CONCENTRATIONS; SECONDARY ORGANIC-CARBON; ON-ROAD; SOURCE APPORTIONMENT; STREET DUSTS; KAISERMUHLEN-TUNNEL; MOTOR-VEHICLES; MASS-BALANCE; HONG-KONG
subject category
Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
authors
Pio, C; Mirante, F; Oliveira, C; Matos, M; Caseiro, A; Oliveira, C; Querol, X; Alves, C; Martins, N; Cerqueira, M; Camoes, F; Silva, H; Plana, F
our authors
Natércia da Conceição Tomé Martins
Junior Researcheracknowledgements
This research work was financially supported by the Portuguese Science Foundation through the Project PTDC/AMB/65699/2006 (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination in Lisbon urban atmosphere). Cesar Oliveira, Natercia Martins and Fatima Mirante acknowledge the Portuguese Science Foundation for their scholarships. The authors also wish to thank Camara Municipal de Lisboa for facilities given in support of this work.