Abstract:
Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics and seasonal changes of water-soluble ion pollutants in PM2.5 in Heze, Shandong Province, from 2021 to 2023, and provide a reference for urban environmental governance.
Methods Atmospheric PM2.5 filter samples were collected at two monitoring sites in the central urban and suburban areas of Heze from the 10th to the 16th of each month from 2021 to 2023. The mass concentration of PM2.5 was determined by the gravimetric method, and the mass concentrations of five water-soluble ions (F-, Cl-, NH4+, NO3-, and SO42-) in atmospheric PM2.5 were determined by ion chromatography. The characteristic ion ratio NO3-/SO42-, sulfur oxidation ratio, and nitrogen oxidation ratio in atmospheric PM2.5 were calculated. Comparisons of water-soluble ions and characteristic ion ratio in different years, seasons, and regions were carried out using the rank sum test.
Results During the sampling period, the median (P25, P75) mass concentration of PM2.5 was 56 (36, 89) μg/m3. The medians (P25, P75) of the mass concentrations of F-, Cl-, NH4+, NO3-, and SO42- were 0.21 (0.16, 0.28), 2.22 (0.89, 3.72), 5.39 (2.94, 9.07), 12.76 (6.40, 27.10), and 10.08 (7.28, 14.37) μg/m3, respectively. For the two areas in Heze, the medians (P25, P75) of NO3-/SO42-, sulfur oxidation ratio, and nitrogen oxidation ratio were 1.18 (0.73, 2.09), 0.53 (0.40, 0.67), and 0.35 (0.24, 0.47), respectively. The mass concentrations of the five water-soluble ions exhibited seasonal variations (χ2=14.81-121.60, P < 0.05) and annual variations (χ2=16.89-61.38, P < 0.05), with no statistically significant regional differences (Z=-1.23-0.77, P>0.05).
Conclusion From 2021 to 2023, the five water-soluble ions in PM2.5 in Heze showed different seasonal variations. F- showed relatively high pollution levels in spring and summer, while the other four ions showed the highest pollution levels in winter. Mobile pollution sources were the primary contributors, and NO3- and SO42- mainly originated from secondary formation.