Characteristics and sources of PM2.5-bound elements in Shanghai during autumn and winter of 2019: Insight into the development of pollution episodes

Elemental composition of PM2.5 dispersed in the atmosphere has received increasing attention due to its health effect and catalytic activities. In this study, the characteristics and source apportionment of PM2.5-bound elements were investigated using hourly measurements. K is the most abundant metal element, followed by Fe > Ca > Zn > Mn > Ba > Pb > Cu > Cd. With an average of 8.8 ± 4.1 ng m−3, Cd was the only element whose pollution level exceeded the limits of Chinese standards and WHO guidelines. The concentrations of As, Se, and Pb doubled in December compared to November, indicating a large increase in coal consumption in winter. The enrichment factors of As, Se, Hg, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ag were larger than 100, indicating that anthropogenic activities greatly affected them. Ship emissions, coal combustion, soil dust, vehicle emissions, and industrial emissions were identified as major sources of trace elements. In November, the pollution from coal burning and industrial activities was significantly reduced, demonstrating the remarkable achievement of coordinated control measures. For the first time, hourly measurements of PM2.5-bound elements and secondary sulfate and nitrate were used to investigate the development of dust and PM2.5 events. During a dust storm event, secondary inorganic salts, potentially toxic elements, and crustal elements sequentially reached peak concentrations, indicating different source origins and formation mechanisms. During the winter PM2.5 event, the sustained increase of trace elements was attributed to the accumulation of local emissions, while regional transport was responsible for the explosive growth before the end of the event. This study highlights the important role of hourly measurement data in distinguishing local accumulation from regional and long-range transport. [Display omitted] •Ship emissions, coal combustion, soil dust, vehicle and industrial emissions were the major sources of PM2.5 elements.•The development of pollution events was explained using high-time resolution data of elements and major components.•Local accumulation and regional transport dominated different stages of winter PM2.5 events.