Characteristics of chemical composition and seasonal variations of PM2.5 in Shijiazhuang, China: Impact of primary emissions and secondary formation

North China registers frequent air pollution episodes from high PM2.5 concentrations. Shijiazhuang is located at the intensive industrial zone of this region, but there is insufficient data on the chemical composition of PM2.5 and its sources in this city. In this study, the chemical and seasonal characteristics of PM2.5 in Shijiazhuang were investigated based on 12-h integrated PM2.5 measurements made over eight 1-month periods in each season between June 2014 and April 2016 (486 samples). The eight-season average concentration of PM2.5 was 138.8 μg m−3, and the major chemical components were secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) species of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium (41.5%), followed by organic matter (25.9%). The mass concentration and most of the chemical components of PM2.5 showed clear seasonal variation, with a winter-high and summer-low pattern. SO42− and NO3− were the dominant components at each pollution level in summer and autumn (18.1%–30.6% and 14.2%–27.0%, respectively). Sufficient gaseous oxidants (O3) concentrations and suitable meteorology conditions were observed in these two seasons. Highest SOR (0.61), SO42−/EC(10.8) and NOR (0.58), NO3−/EC (5.9) were found in summer and autumn, which indicated intense secondary transformation in these two seasons. Organic matter was the dominant species in winter, which increased from 17.1 μg m−3 for clean days (28.7% of PM2.5) to 169.1 μg m−3 (38.4% of PM2.5). The accumulation of primary emissions (coal combustion and biomass burning) was responsible for the increasing OM trend (especially for POC). The highest and leading proportion of mineral dust occurred in spring (20.3%–46.5%) as a result of higher wind speeds (up to 3 m/s). Potential source contribution function (PSCF) analyses implied that the border areas of Hebei, Henan and Shandong Provinces, together with the central area of Shanxi Province, contributed significantly to the PM2.5 pollution in Shijiazhuang, especially in autumn and winter. Major components (SO42−, NO3−, primary organic carbon (POC), secondary organic carbon (SOC) and mineral dusts) of PM2.5, SOR and NOR at different pollution level of each season. C: Clean days; SL: Slightly polluted days; MP: Moderately polluted days; HP: Heavily polluted days; SEP: Severely polluted days. [Display omitted] •SIA and OM were the major components of PM2.5 in Shijiazhuang.•High atmospheric oxidation was conducive to form SIA in summer and autumn.•Biomass burning and coal combustion contributed