Source apportionment of PM10 in six cities of northern China

Ambient PM10 was sampled in six northern China cities (Urumqi, Yinchuan, Taiyuan, Anyang, Tianjin and Jinan) from December 1999 to July 2002, and analyzed for 16 chemical elements, two water-soluble ions, total carbon, and organic carbon. In addition, chemical source profiles consisting of the same particulate components were obtained from a number of naturally occurring geological sources (soil dust from exposed lands) and sources of atmospheric particulates resulting from human activities (resuspended dust, cement, coal combustion fly ash, vehicle exhaust, and secondary particles). Ambient and source data were used in a chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model to determine the major source of PM10 in these six cities. Results of CMB modeling showed that the major source of ambient PM10 in all the cities was resuspended dust. Significant contributions from coal fly ash were also found in all six cities.