Decryption analysis of antimony pollution sources in PM2.5 through a multi-source isotope mixing model based on lead isotopes

Antimony (Sb) in PM2.5 has attracted close attention as a new air pollutant due to its extensive use in daily life. The identification of antimony sources in PM2.5 by scientific methods is important to control its pollution. In this study, the Sb and other elements concentrations and Pb isotopic compositions in PM2.5 and possible pollution sources (soil, road dust, traffic emission, coal-fired fly ash, local factory emission dust and cement dust) were analyzed. The results showed that the Sb in the PM2.5 samples had seasonal change. The enrichment factors of Sb in PM2.5 samples were all above 100 in four seasons, which indicated anthropogenic pollution. The average value of potential ecological risk index was at extremely high-risk level greater than 320. Based on Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchical cluster analysis results, the pollution sources of antimony and lead in PM2.5 samples were highly consistent which means that Pb isotopes might be a new and feasible tracer for Sb pollution in air. The sources analysis results based on Pb isotopes indicated that the proportion of Pb and Sb from coal-fired fly ash was the highest in winter (47.7%) and inclined to road dust in spring (34.5%), but it was mainly from traffic emissions in summer and autumn (34.2% and 32.8%). This study showed that Pb isotope tracing can be applied to predict the potential pollution sources, and it was also a feasible substitute for tracing Sb pollution in PM2.5. [Display omitted] •High enrichment and potential ecological risk of Sb in PM2.5 were found in four seasons.•Traffic emissions, fly ash and road dust were the main sources of Sb in PM2.5.•Pb isotope tracer is a feasible substitute for tracing antimony pollution in PM2.5.