ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ATMOSPHERIC PARTICULATEFINE MATTER IN THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF NATAL-RN
Particulate Matter, Harvard Sampler , Atmospheric Aerosol, Air Quality, Air Pollution, Natal
This study aimed to achieve a chemical characterization of PM 2.5 aerosol collected by a Harvard Impactor at Natal, capital of Rio Grande do Norte (latitude 5º49'29 '' South and longitude 35º13'34 '' west), Brazil. Sampling was performed daily using a 37 mm quartz filters. gravimetric techniques were used, quantification of Carbon Black (CB), and fluorescence X-ray analysis. The sampling MP2.5 occurred continuously in the period from 3 March 2015 and 31 March 2016. The preliminary March results to August 2015 show that the monthly averages ranged from 14.97 to 3:38 μg/m3. While the daily concentrations ranged from 70.98 to 0.25 μg/m3 to PM2.5 for the same period. Note that if the month of June showed the highest BC, approximately 1,18 μg/m³. This result is important because the month of March was the highest monthly had a concentration of PM2.5, while the month of June was the one with the lowest concentration. The month of June weather are comparable to March, given that it rained on average 300 mm per month in these two months. However, cultural facts enhanced the BC concentrations in June as many open wood burning bonfires occur due to the celebrations of the St. John’s holiday. Analysis by Xray fluorescence identified the chemical elements of the collected particles with highest concentrations in the filters: S, K, Si, Al, Cl, Fe, P, Ca, Mn, and Ca. Most of these were of anthropogenic origin according to their enrichment factor, while Na, Mg, Sn, Zn, Al, Fe and Ti originated from natural sources. The results of PM2.5 concentrations were statistically related to the meteorological variables for information about the effects of these variables on the concentration of PM. They were also made simulations dispersion and deposition of the particulate material using the model HYSPLIT trajectories.