Seasonal variation and size distribution of inorganic and carbonaceous components, source identification of size-fractioned urban air particles in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2022-01, Vol.287, p.132309-132309, Article 132309
• Main Authors: Jamhari, Anas Ahmad, Latif, Mohd Talib, Wahab, Muhammad Ikram A., Hassan, Hanashriah, Othman, Murnira, Abd Hamid, Haris Hafizal, Tekasakul, Perapong, Phairuang, Worradorn, Hata, Mitsuhiko, Furuchi, Masami, Rajab, Nor Fadilah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbonaceous aerosol; Positive matrix factorization; Size distribution; Size-segregated PM; Water-soluble inorganic ions
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132309

This study aims to determine the inorganic and carbonaceous components depending on the seasonal variation and size distribution of urban air particles in Kuala Lumpur. Different fractions of particulate matter (PM) were measured using a Nanosampler from 17 February 2017 until 27 November 2017. The water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) and carbonaceous components in all samples were analysed using ion chromatography and carbon analyser thermal/optical reflectance, respectively. Total PM concentration reached its peak during the southwest (SW) season (70.99 ± 6.04 μg/m3), and the greatest accumulation were observed at PM0.5–1.0 (22%–30%, 9.55 ± 1.03 μg/m3) and PM2.5–10 (22%–25%, 10.34 ± 0.81 μg/m3). SO42−, NO3− and NH4+ were major contributors of WSIIs, and their formation was favoured mainly during SW season (80.5% of total ions). PM0.5–1.0 and PM2.5–10 exhibited the highest percentage of WSII size distribution, accounted for 28.4% and 13.5% of the total mass, respectively. The average contribution of carbonaceous species (OC + EC) to total carbonaceous concentrations were higher in PM0.5–1.0 (35.2%) and PM2.5–10 (26.6%). Ultrafine particles (PM