Spatial-temporal distribution and source analysis of atmospheric particulate-bound cadmium from 1998 to 2021 in China

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most serious atmospheric heavy metal pollutants in China. PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and total suspended particle (TSP) are all important media for population Cd exposure. However, no studies so far have systematically explored the spatial and temporal distribution of atmospheric Cd bound to all these media in China, and the specific industrial sectors that contribute to the airborne Cd level are still unclear at present. In this study, we constructed the spatial and temporal distribution of PM (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and TSP) binding Cd concentrations in China. Quantitative source apportionment of atmospheric Cd was carried out by analyzing the association of 23 industrial or energy-consuming sectors with Cd concentrations. Our results showed PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and TSP binding Cd concentrations decreased by 5.8%, 5.9%, and 6.1% per year at the national level, respectively. High PM-Cd concentrations were concentrated and distributed mainly in central and northwestern China. In addition, the medians of atmospheric PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and TSP binding Cd concentrations at the national level were 0.0026 μg/m³, 0.0036 μg/m³, and 0.0042 μg/m³, respectively. The main sources of PM-Cd include nonferrous metal smelting (Zn, Pb, Al) (47%), glass production (13%), pesticide production (12%), cement production (10%), and coal consumption (9%). This study analyzes comprehensively the atmospheric PM-bound Cd pollution, identifies the major industrial sectors that affect atmospheric Cd concentrations at the macroscale for the first time, and provides a basis for further reduction in the atmospheric Cd pollution.