A comparative analysis of source apportionment of PM2.5 in Baengnyeong-do and Seoul metropolitan area using receptor model

Because PM2.5 causes high-risk diseases, various research and policies are being implemented in these days. Identification of emission sources is the fundamental research and it should be continued. In this study, we attempted to compare and analyze the emission source contribution and PM2.5 characteristics for Baengnyeong-do (background area) and Seoul (the capital area) in Korea. PMF receptor model and back-trajectory analysis were used using the PM2.5 and its components data collected by the Atmospheric Environment Research Institute during 2020 to 2021. In the results of PMF model, 9 pollution sources (secondary sulfate, secondary nitrate, vehicles, biomass burning, dust, industry, sea salt, coal combustion, oil combustion) were estimated in both Baengnyeong-do and Seoul. Secondary aerosol, vehicles and biomass burning showed the high contributions to PM2.5 pollutions at both receptor sites. In the backtrajectory analysis, we found the air mass for long-range transport from China to Seoul via Baengnyeong-do. As a result of PM2.5 characteristics, nitrate concentrations in Seoul were higher than those in Baengnyeong-do. Therefore, mitigation of nitrate pollution and the control of NOx emission sources including should be necessary in the metropolitan. Acknowledgments: This research was supported by Particulate Matter Management Specialized Graduate Program through the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) funded by the Ministry of Environment (MOE)