Sources apportionment of PM2.5 in a background site in the North China Plain

To better understand the sources and potential source regions of PM2.5, a field study was conducted from January 2011 to November 2011 at a background site, the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve (YRDNNR) in the North China Plain. Positive matrix factorisation (PMF) analysis and a potential source contribution function (PSCF) model were used to assess the data, which showed that YRDNNR experienced serious air pollution. Concentrations of PM2.5 at YRDNNR were 71.2, 92.7, 97.1 and 62.5 μg m(-3) in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, with 66.0% of the daily samples exhibiting higher concentrations of PM2.5 than the national air quality standard. PM2.5 mass closure showed remarkable seasonal variations. Sulphate, nitrate and ammonium were the dominant fractions of PM2.5 in summer (58.0%), whereas PM2.5 was characterized by a high load of organic aerosols (40.2%) in winter. PMF analysis indicated that secondary sulphate and nitrate (54.3%), biomass burning (15.8%), industry (10.7%), crustal matter (8.3%), vehicles (5.2%) and copper smelting (4.9%) were important sources of PM2.5 at YRDNNR on an annual average. The source of secondary sulphate and nitrate was probably industrial coal combustion. PSCF analysis indicated a significant regional impact on PM2.5 at YRDNNR all year round. Local emission may be non-negligible at YRDNNR in summer. The results of the present study provide a scientific basis for the development of PM2.5 control strategies on a regional scale.