Relevance of aerosol size spectrum analysis as support to qualitative source apportionment studies

This work presents a diagnostic methodology in support to source apportionment studies to identify remote and local pollution sources. It is based on the temporal analysis of both PM size distributions and PM size fraction correlation along with natural radioactivity measurements as index of Planetary Boundary Layer dynamic. A correlation drop is indicative of changing aerosol sources. When this observation is coupled with decreasing level of natural radioactivity and increasing aerosol concentration, be it coarse or fine, it is indicative of the inflow of remote polluted air masses. The methodology defines in which size range operates the contribution of remote pollution sources. It was applied to two PM10 pollution episodes: the first involved the advection of coarse PM, the second entailed the inflow of two air masses, one transporting coarse dust and the other fine PM. Dust models and backward trajectories analysis confirmed such results, indicating the air mass provenience. ► Tool as a qualitative support to source apportionment studies. ► Time and size resolved aerosol and natural radioactivity measurements. ► Methodology gives immediate information on PM presence from local/remote sources. ► Long range transport episodes are demonstrated without any chemical analysis. ► Dust models and backward-trajectory analysis used for confirming the results found. Long range transport episodes are clearly demonstrated by time and size resolved aerosol and natural radioactivity measurements without any chemical analysis.