Mass and ion characterization of particulate matter in Arequipa, Peru
Abstract
There is relatively little published air quality data for southern Peru. Here we present data of particulate matter mass (PM2.5 and PM10) and their cation and anion composition in aerosols collected in Arequipa, Peru, a major city in southern Peru (population ~ 1 million). Aerosols were collected during 2018 on quartz fiber and teflon filters using a high volume air sampler (Ecotech 3000) for approximately 24 hours. Mass was determined by gravimetric analysis (Mettler Toledo) at 50% relative humidity and soluble ions were extracted in Millipore water and ions were measured by ion chromatography (Metrohm 940). Four different sites were sampled during each season, which were classified as the urban center, an industrial site, an agricultural site and a site located near a copper mine (4.5 km). During the year the average PM2.5 was 79 μg/m3 a maximum of 227 μg/m3 average PM10 was 97 μg/m3 a maximum of 229 μg/m3. The main anions were nitrate and sulfate and the main cations were Ca2+, Na+ and NH4+. Nitrate and sulfate concentrations averaged 1.2 and 4.3 μg/m3, with maximums of 4.2 and 11 μg/m3, respectively. In the industrial site the concentration of nitrate and sulfate are correlated (R2 = 0.60) and are twice as high as the other sites suggesting a common combustion source. The concentration of particulate matter in Arequipa exceeds world health organization quality standards and highlights the need for future air quality monitoring in the region.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.A23K2919L
- Keywords:
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- 0335 Ion chemistry of the atmosphere;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE;
- 3311 Clouds and aerosols;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 1029 Composition of aerosols and dust particles;
- GEOCHEMISTRY;
- 9360 South America;
- GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION