Effect of chemical composition of PM2.5 on visibility in Guangzhou,China, 2007 spring

The object of this study was to investigate the correlation of visibility with chemical composition of PM2.5 in Guangzhou. In April 2007, 28 PM2.5 samples were collected daily at the monitoring station of the South China Institute of Environmental Sciences （SCIES）, in urban Guangzhou. Water-soluble ionic species （CI^-, NO3^-, SO4^2-, NH4^＋, K^＋, Na^＋, Ca^2＋, and Mg^2＋） and carbonaceous contents （OC and EC） of the PM2.5 samples were determined to characterize their impact on visibility impairment. The results showed that sulfate was the dominant species that affected both light scattering and visibility. The average percentage contributions of the visibility-degrading species to light scattering coefficient were 40% for sulfate, 16% for nitrate, 22% for organics, and 22% for elemental carbon. Because of its foremost effect on visibility, sulfate reduction in PM2.5 would effectively improve the visibility of Guangzhou.     

Chemical composition of PM_(2.5) during winter in Tianjin,China

PM2.5 samples for 24 h were collected during winter in Tianjin,China. The ambient mass concentration and chemical composition of the PM2.5 were determined. Ionic species were analyzed by ion chromatog-raphy,while carbonaceous species were determined with the IMPROVE thermal optical reectance(TOR) method,and inorganic elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spec-trometer. The daily PM2.5 mass concentrations ranged from 48.2 to 319.2 g/m3 with an arithmetic average of 144.6 g/m3. ...     

Effect of chemical composition of PM_(2.5) on visibility in Guangzhou,China,2007 spring

The object of this study was to investigate the correlation of visibility with chemical composition of PM2.5 in Guangzhou. In April 2007, 28 PM2.5 samples were collected daily at the monitoring station of the South China Institute of Environmental Sciences (SCIES), in urban Guangzhou. Water-soluble ionic species (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, NH4+, K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) and carbonaceous contents (OC and EC) of the PM2.5 samples were determined to characterize their impact on visibility impairment. The results showed that sulfate was the dominant species that affected both light scattering and visibility. The average percentage contributions of the visibility-degrading species to light scattering coefficient were 40% for sulfate, 16% for nitrate, 22% for organics, and 22% for elemental carbon. Because of its foremost effect on visibility, sulfate reduction in PM2.5 would effectively improve the visibility of Guangzhou.     

Chemical characteristics of PM2.5 during haze episodes in the urban of Fuzhou,China

Atmospheric fine particles (PM_2.5) were collected in this study with middle volume samplers in Fuzhou, China, during both normal days and haze days in summer (September 2007) and winter (January 2008). The concentrations, distributions, and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and water soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) were determinated. The results showed that the concentrations of PM_2.5, PAHs, OC, EC, and WSIIs were in the orders of haze > normal and winter > summer. The dominant PAHs of PM_2.5 in Fuzhou were Fluo, Pyr, Chr, BbF, BkF, BaP, BghiP, and IcdP, which represented about 80.0% of the total PAHs during different sampling periods. The BaPeq concentrations of ∑PAHs were 0.78, 0.99, 1.22, and 2.43 ng/m³ in summer normal, summer haze, winter normal, and winter haze, respectively. Secondary pollutants (SO₄^2?, NO₃^?, NH₄⁺, and OC) were the major chemical compositions of PM_2.5, accounting for 69.0%, 55.1%, 63.4%, and 64.9% of PM_2.5 mass in summer normal, summer haze, winter normal, and winter haze, respectively. Correspondingly, secondary organic carbon (SOC) in Fuzhou accounted for 20.1%, 48.6%, 24.5%, and 50.5% of OC. The average values of nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR) and sulfur oxidation ratio (SOR) were higher in haze days (0.08 and 0.27) than in normal days (0.05 and 0.22). Higher OC/EC ratios were also found in haze days (5.0) than in normal days (3.3). Correlation analysis demonstrated that visibility had positive correlations with wind speed, and negative correlations with relative humidity and major air pollutants. Overall, the enrichments of PM_2.5, OC, EC, SO₄^2?, and NO₃^? promoted haze formation. Furthermore, the diagnostic ratios of IcdP/(IcdP + BghiP), IcdP/BghiP, OC/EC, and NO₃^?/SO₄^2? indicated that vehicle exhaust and coal consumption were the main sources of pollutants in Fuzhou.     

Chemical characteristics of PM2.5 during dust storms and air pollution events in Chengdu,China

Daily fine particulate (PM_2.5) samples were collected in Chengdu from April 2009 to February 2010 to investigate their chemical profiles during dust storms (DSs) and several types of pollution events, including haze (HDs), biomass burning (BBs), and fireworks displays (FDs). The highest PM_2.5 mass concentrations were found during DSs (283.3 μg/m³), followed by FDs (212.7 μg/m³), HDs (187.3 μg/m³), and BBs (130.1 μg/m³). The concentrations of most elements were elevated during DSs and pollution events, except for BBs. Secondary inorganic ions (NO₃^?, SO₄^2?, and NH₄⁺) were enriched during HDs, while PM_2.5 from BBs showed high K⁺ but low SO₄^2?. FDs caused increases in K⁺ and enrichment in SO₄^2?. Ca²⁺ was abundant in DS samples. Ion-balance calculations indicated that PM_2.5 from HDs and FDs was more acidic than on normal days, but DS and BB particles were alkaline. The highest organic carbon (OC) concentration was 26.1 μg/m³ during FDs, followed by BBs (23.6 μg/m³), HDs (19.6 μg/m³), and DSs (18.8 μg/m³). In contrast, elemental carbon (EC) concentration was more abundant during HDs (10.6 μg/m³) and FDs (9.5 μg/m³) than during BBs (6.2 μg/m³) and DSs (6.0 μg/m³). The highest OC/EC ratios were obtained during BBs, with the lowest during HDs. SO₄^2?/K⁺ and TCA/SO₄^2? ratios proved to be effective indicators for differentiating pollution events. Mass balance showed that organic matter, SO₄^2?, and NO₃^? were the dominant chemical components during pollution events, while soil dust was dominant during DSs.     

Chemical components of PM2.5 in different seasons in Harbin,China

The seasonal characteristics of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) were investigated from October 2020 to April 2021 (spreading fall, winter and spring) in Harbin, a city located in northeast China. The mass concentrations of PM_2.5 in winter were significantly higher than those in fall and spring. Moreover, our results indicated that various aerosol species had obvious seasonality. The proportions of secondary components were higher in winter than other two seasons. In contrast, the ratios of nitrate to sulfate (NO₃⁻/SO₄²⁻) showed lower levels in winter, which was because both the ratios of nitrogen dioxide to sulfur dioxide (NO₂/SO₂) and the ratios of nitrogen oxidation ratio to sulfur oxidation ratio (NOR/SOR) exhibited lower values in winter than in fall and spring. With PM_2.5 increased, the NO₃⁻/SO₄²⁻ ratios showed increasing trends in all three seasons, which was mainly attributed to the increase of NOR/SOR ratios in fall and spring, and the increase of both NO₂/SO₂ and NOR/SOR ratios in winter. This result highlighted that nitrate was more important than sulfate as a driver for the growth of PM_2.5 during the period of heavy air pollution. Additionally, the sources of organic aerosol (OA) in different seasons were also distinctly different. Overall, the sum of biomass burning OA (BBOA) and secondary OA (SOA) contributed >70% of OA in three seasons. The fractional contributions of BBOA to total OA, notably, exhibited higher levels in fall and spring, because of intensive open agricultural fires. The SOA fractions in OA were larger in winter, likely due to higher relative humidity which facilitated the secondary formation. A large increase in the proportions of BBOA was observed during polluted days in fall and spring compared to clean days. In comparison, during heavily-polluted periods, secondary formation made a dominant contribution to organic matter in winter.     

PM2.5 in an industrial district of Zhengzhou,China: Chemical composition and source apportionment

Zhengzhou is a developing city in China, that is heavily polluted by high levels of particulate matter. In this study, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) was collected and analyzed for their chemical composition (soluble ions, elements, elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC)) in an industrial district of Zhengzhou in 2010. The average concentrations of PM_2.5 were 181, 122, 186 and 211 μg/m³ for spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, with an annual average of 175 μg/m³, far exceeding the PM_2.5 regulation of USA National Air Quality Standards (15 μg/m³). The dominant components of PM_2.5 in Zhengzhou were secondary ions (sulphate and nitrate) and carbon fractions. Soluble ions, total carbon and elements contributed 41%, 13% and 3% of PM_2.5 mass, respectively. Soil dust, secondary aerosol and coal combustion, each contributing about 26%, 24% and 23% of total PM_2.5 mass, were the major sources of PM_2.5, according to the result of positive matrix factorization analysis. A mixed source of biomass burning, oil combustion and incineration contributed 13% of PM_2.5. Fine particulate matter arising from vehicles and industry contributed about 10% and 4% of PM_2.5, respectively.     

Variation of PM2.5 concentration in Hangzhou,China

This observational study investigates the variation of PM_2.5 concentration and its ratio against PM₁₀ concentration under different weather systems and pollution types. The study was conducted in Hangzhou on east China's Yangtze River Delta using data collected at seven ambient air quality monitoring stations around the metropolitan area between 2006 and 2008 and using weather information in the same period. Nine predominant weather systems affecting the city were classified through careful analysis of the 11-year surface and upper air weather charts from 1996 to 2006. Each observational day was then assigned to one of the nine weather systems. It was found that the PM_2.5 concentration varied greatly for different weather systems, with the highest PM_2.5 concentration associated with the post-cold-frontal system at 0.091 mg/m³ and the lowest PM_2.5 concentration with the easterlies system at 0.038 mg/m³, although the PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratio remained consistently above 0.5 for all systems. The post-cold-frontal system typically occurs in autumn and winter while the easterlies system is more a summer phenomenon. Among all types of pollution, the highest PM_2.5 concentration of 0.117 mg/m³ coincided with the large-scale continuous pollution events, suggesting that this type of pollution was more conducive to the formation of secondary particulate matters. The ratio of PM_2.5/PM₁₀ was above 0.5 in non-pollution days and all pollution types but one under the influence of dust storms when the ratio decreased to 0.3 or less. The outcomes of this study could be used to develop a rudimental predictive model of PM_2.5 concentration based on weather system and pollution type.     

Elemental compositions of PM2.5 and TSP in Lijiang,southeastern edge of Tibetan Plateau during pre-monsoon period

PM_2.5 and total suspended particulate (TSP) samples were collected at Lijiang, southeastern Tibetan Plateau, China. Sixteen elements (Al, Si, S, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Ti, Fe, Ni, Zn, As, Br, Sb, Pb and Cu) were analyzed to investigate their elemental compositions during the pre-monsoon period. The results showed that Ca was the most abundant element in both PM_2.5 and TSP samples. The enrichment factors (EFs) of Si, Ti, Ca, Fe, K and Mn were all below 10 for both PM_2.5 and TSP, and these elements also had lower PM_2.5/TSP ratios (0.32–0.34), suggesting that they were mainly derived from crustal sources. Elements Cu, Zn, S, Br and Sb showed strong enrichment in PM_2.5 and TSP samples, with their PM_2.5/TSP ratios ranging from 0.66 to 0.97, indicating that they were enriched in the fine fractions and influenced by anthropogenic sources. Analysis of the wind field at 500 hPa and calculations of back trajectories indicated that Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn and Fe can be influenced by transport from northwestern China during the dust-storm season, and that S, K, Ni, Br and Pb reached high concentrations during westerly transport from south Asia. Combined with the principle component analysis and correlation analysis, elements of PM_2.5 samples were mainly from crustal sources, biomass burning emissions and regional traffic-related sources.     

PM2.5 in China: Measurements,sources, visibility and health effects,and mitigation

Concern over the health effects of fine particles in the ambient environment led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop the first standard for PM_2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm) in 1997. The Particle Technology Laboratory at the University of Minnesota has helped to establish the PM_2.5 standard by developing many instruments and samplers to perform atmospheric measurements. In this paper, we review various aspects of PM_2.5, including its measurement, source apportionment, visibility and health effects, and mitigation. We focus on PM_2.5 studies in China and where appropriate, compare them with those obtained in the U.S. Based on accurate PM_2.5 sampling, chemical analysis, and source apportionment models, the major PM_2.5 sources in China have been identified to be coal combustion, motor vehicle emissions, and industrial sources. Atmospheric visibility has been found to correlate well with PM_2.5 concentration. Sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate carried by PM_2.5, commonly found in coal burning and vehicle emissions, are the dominant contributors to regional haze in China. Short-term exposure to PM_2.5 is strongly associated with the increased risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in China. The strategy for PM_2.5 mitigation must be based on reducing the pollutants from the two primary sources of coal-fired power plants and vehicle emissions. Although conventional Particulate Emission Control Devices (PECD) such as electrostatic precipitators in Chinese coal-fired power plants are generally effective for large particles, most of them may not have high collection efficiency of PM_2.5. Baghouse filtration is gradually incorporated into the PECD to increase the PM_2.5 collection efficiency. By adopting stringent vehicle emissions standard such as Euro 5 and 6, the emissions from vehicles can be gradually reduced over the years. An integrative approach, from collaboration among academia, government, and industries, can effectively manage and mitigate the PM_2.5 pollution in China.     

Chemical characteristics of PM2.5 during dust storms and air pollution events in Chengdu,China

Daily fine particulate(PM_2.5) samples were collected in Chengdu from April 2009 to February 2010 to investigate their chemical profiles during dust storms（DSs） and several types of pollution events, including haze（HDs）,biomass burning（BBs）,and fireworks displays（FDs）.The highest PM_2.5 mass concentrations were found during DSs（283.3μg/m³）,followed by FDs（212.7μg/m³）,HDs（187.3μg/m³）,and BBs（130.1μg/m³）.The concentrations of most elements were elevated during DSs and pollution events, except for BBs.Secondary inorganic ions(NO₃^-,SO₄^2-,and NH₄⁺) were enriched during HDs,while PM_2.5 from BBs showed high K⁺ but low SO₄^2-.FDs caused increases in K⁺ and enrichment in SO₄^2-.Ca²⁺ was abundant in DS samples.Ion-balance calculations indicated that PM_2.5 from HDs and FDs was more acidic than on normal days,but DS and BB particles were alkaline.The highest organic carbon（OC） concentration was 26.1μg/m³ during FDs,followed by BBs（23.6μg/m³）,HDs（19.6μg/m³）,and DSs（18.8μg/m³）. In contrast,elemental carbon（EC） concentration was more abundant during HDs（10.6μg/m³） and FDs （9.5μg/m³） than during BBs（6.2μg/m³） and DSs（6.0μg/m³）.The highest OC/EC ratios were obtained during BBs,with the lowest during HDs.SO₄^2-/K⁺ and TCA/SO₄^2- ratios proved to be effective indicators for differentiating pollution events.Mass balance showed that organic matter,SO₄^2-,and NO₃^- were the dominant chemical components during pollution events,while soil dust was dominant during DSs.     

Composition of carbohydrates,surfactants, major elements and anions in PM2.5 during the 2013 Southeast Asia high pollution episode in Malaysia

Haze episodes have become a major concern in Malaysia over the past few decades and have an increasingly important impact on the country each and every year. During haze episodes from biomass burning in Southeast Asia, particularly from Sumatra, Indonesia, particulate matter PM_2.5 is found to be one of the dangerous sources of airborne pollution and is known to seriously affect human health. This study determines the composition of carbohydrates (as levoglucosan), surfactants, major elements, and anions in PM_2.5 during a 2013 haze episode. PM_2.5 samples were collected from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, using a high volume sampler during a seven-day monitoring campaign during the peak of that year’s haze episode. PM_2.5 concentrations ranged between 14.52 and 160.93 μg/m³, exceeding the 2005 WHO air quality guidelines for PM_2.5 (25 μg/m³ for 24-h mean). The patterns for levoglucosan, surfactants, major elements, and anionic compositions were proportional to the PM_2.5 concentrations. Changes in PM_2.5 observed on days 3 and 4 were influenced by a combination of meteorological factors, which substantiate the theory that such factors play a pivotal role in haze episodes.     

Characterization of summer PM2.5 aerosols from four forest areas in Sichuan,SW China

Aerosol samples were collected over 24 and 12 h to represent day/night aerosol characteristics in forest areas at Ya’an Baima Spring Scenic Area (BM), Panzhihua Cycas National Nature Reserve (PZ), Gongga Mountain National Nature Reserve (GG), and Wolong National Nature Reserve (WL), during the summers of 2010–2012. Mass and chemical component concentrations, including organic carbon, elemental carbon, and inorganic ions (F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, C₂O₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻, K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and NH₄⁺), of PM_2.5 aerosols were measured. The average PM_2.5 concentrations for 24 h were 72.42, 104.89, 20.55, and 29.19 μg/m³ at BM, PZ, GG, and WL, respectively. Organic matter accounted for 38.0–49.3%, while elemental carbon accounted for 2.0–5.7% of PM_2.5 mass. The sum concentrations of SO₄²⁻, NH₄⁺, and NO₃⁻ accounted for 23.0%, 17.4%, 22.1%, and 30.5% of PM_2.5 mass at BM, PZ, GG, and WL, respectively. Soil dust was also an important source of PM_2.5, accounting for 6.3%, 17.0%, 10.4%, and 19.1% of PM_2.5 mass at BM, PZ, GG, and WL, respectively. These reconstructed masses accounted for 75.9–102.0% of PM_2.5 mass from the four forest areas of SW China.     

Local and long-range transport influences on PM2.5 at a cities-cluster in northern China,during summer 2008

Hourly PM_2.5 concentrations were observed simultaneously at a cities-cluster comprising 10 cities/towns in Hebei province in China from July 1 to 31, 2008. Among the 10 cities/towns, Baoding showed the highest average concentration level (161.57 μg/m³) and Yanjiao exhibited the lowest (99.35 μg/m³). These observed data were also studied using the joint potential source contribution function with 24-h and 72-h backward trajectories, to identify more clearly the local and countrywide-scale long-range transport sources. For the local sources, three important influential areas were found, whereas five important influential areas were defined for long-range transport sources. Spatial characteristics of PM_2.5 were determined by multivariate statistical analyses. Soil dust, coal combustion, and vehicle emissions might be the potential contributors in these areas. The results of a hierarchical cluster analysis for back trajectory endpoints and PM_2.5 concentrations datasets show that the spatial characteristics of PM_2.5 in the cities-cluster were influenced not only by local sources, but also by long-range transport sources. Different cities in the cities-cluster obtained different weighted contributions from local or long-range transport sources. Cangzhou, Shijiazhuang, and Baoding are near the source areas in the south of Hebei province, whereas Zhuozhou, Yangfang, Yanjiao, Xianghe, and Langfang are close to the sources areas near Beijing and Tianjin.     

Local and long-range transport influences on PM2.5 at a cities-cluster in northern China,during summer 2008

Hourly PM2.5 concentrations were observed simultaneously at a cities-cluster comprising 10 cities/towns in Hebei province in China from July 1 to 31, 2008. Among the 10 cities/towns, Baoding showed the high- est average concentration level （161.57μg/m3） and Yanjiao exhibited the lowest （99.35 μg/m3 ）. These observed data were also studied using the joint potential source contribution function with 24-h and 72-h backward trajectories, to identify more clearly the local and countrywide-scale long-range transport sources. For the local sources, three important influential areas were found, whereas five important influential areas were defined for long-range transport sources. Spatial characteristics of PM2.5 were determined by multivariate statistical analyses. Soil dust, coal combustion, and vehicle emissions might be the potential contributors in these areas. The results of a hierarchical cluster analysis for back trajectory endpoints and PM2.s concentrations datasets show that the spatial characteristics of PM2.5 in the cities-cluster were influenced not only by local sources, but also by long-range transport sources. Different cities in the cities-cluster obtained different weighted contributions from local or long-range transport sources. Cangzhou, Shijiazhuang, and Baoding are near the source areas in the south of Hebei province, whereas Zhuozhou, Yangfang, Yanjiao, Xianghe, and Langfang are close to the sources areas near Beijing and Tianjin.     

Chemical composition and source apportionment of the ambient PM_(2.5)in Hangzhou,China

To identify and apportion the sources of the ambient PM_(2.5) in the urban area of Hangzhou,China,PM_(2.5)samples were collected at three sites in the city from April 2004 to March 2005.Water-soluble ions,metal elements,and total carbon(TC) in PM_(2.5) samples were analyzed.The results indicated that the 24-h mean concentrations of PM_(2.5) ranged from 17.1 to 267.0 μg/m~3,with an annual average value of 108.2 μg/m~3.Moreover,the seasonal mean values for PM_(2.5) in spring,summer,autumn,and winter were 116,73.1,114.2,and 136.0 μg/m~3.respectively.According to the Chinese ambient quality standard,at least 70% of the monitoring data exceeded the limit value.The total contribution of water-soluble ions,including F~-,Cl~-,NO_3~-,SO_4~(2-).NH_4~+,K~+,and Na~+.to PM_(2.5) mass varied from 32.3% to 36.7%.SO_4~(2-),NO_3~-,and NH_4~+were the main constituents of the ions,with contributions to PM_(2.5) varying from 14.1% to 14.7%,6.0%to 7.8%,and 6.4% to 7.7%,respectively.In addition,the annual mean mass fraction of TC in PM_(2.5) was27.8%.The annual average total contribution of the group of elements of Zn,Pb,Cu,Mn,Cr,Ni,Se,Mo.Cd,Sb,and Ag to the aerosol was in the range of 1.7-2.0%.Furthermore,positive matrix factorization was applied to analyze the PM_(2.5) data collected from the central area,and five factors were identified.The factor contributions to PM_(2.5) mass were 12.8%,31.9%,10.1%,17.2%,and 27.9%,respectively.Iron/steel manufacturing and secondary aerosol were the main sources for the fine particles.These findings may have significance for controlling the atmospheric contamination in the city.     

Chemical composition and source apportionment of the ambient PM2.5in Hangzhou,China

To identify and apportion the sources of the ambient PM_2.5 in the urban area of Hangzhou,China,PM_2.5samples were collected at three sites in the city from April 2004 to March 2005.Water-soluble ions,metal elements,and total carbon（TC） in PM_2.5 samples were analyzed.The results indicated that the 24-h mean concentrations of PM_2.5 ranged from 17.1 to 267.0 μg/m³,with an annual average value of 108.2 μg/m³.Moreover,the seasonal mean values for PM_2.5 in spring,summer,autumn,and winter were 116,73.1,114.2,and 136.0 μg/m³.respectively.According to the Chinese ambient quality standard,at least 70% of the monitoring data exceeded the limit value.The total contribution of water-soluble ions,including F^-,Cl^-,NO₃^-,SO₄^2-.NH₄⁺,K⁺,and Na⁺.to PM_2.5 mass varied from 32.3% to 36.7%.SO₄^2-,NO₃^-,and NH₄⁺were the main constituents of the ions,with contributions to PM_2.5 varying from 14.1% to 14.7%,6.0%to 7.8%,and 6.4% to 7.7%,respectively.In addition,the annual mean mass fraction of TC in PM_2.5 was27.8%.The annual average total contribution of the group of elements of Zn,Pb,Cu,Mn,Cr,Ni,Se,Mo.Cd,Sb,and Ag to the aerosol was in the range of 1.7-2.0%.Furthermore,positive matrix factorization was applied to analyze the PM_2.5 data collected from the central area,and five factors were identified.The factor contributions to PM_2.5 mass were 12.8%,31.9%,10.1%,17.2%,and 27.9%,respectively.Iron/steel manufacturing and secondary aerosol were the main sources for the fine particles.These findings may have significance for controlling the atmospheric contamination in the city.     

PM2.5 in an industrial district of Zhengzhou,China:Chemical composition and source apportionment

Zhengzhou is a developing city in China,that is heavily polluted by high levels of particulate matter.In this study.fine particulate matter(PM_2.5) was collected and analyzed for their chemical composition（soluble ions,elements,elemental carbon（EC） and organic carbon（OC）） in an industrial district of Zhengzhou in 2010.The average concentrations of PM_2.5 were 181,122,186 and 211μg/m³ for spring,summer, autumn and winter,respectively,with an annual average of 175μg/m³,far exceeding the PM_2.5 regulation of USA National Air Quality Standards（15μg/m³）.The dominant components of PM_2.5 in Zhengzhou were secondary ions（sulphate and nitrate） and carbon fractions.Soluble ions,total carbon and elements contributed 41%,13%and 3%of PM_2.5 mass,respectively.Soil dust,secondary aerosol and coal combustion, each contributing about 26%,24%and 23%of total PM_2.5 mass,were the major sources of PM_2.5,according to the result of positive matrix factorization analysis.A mixed source of biomass burning,oil combustion and incineration contributed 13%of PM_2.5.Fine particulate matter arising from vehicles and industry contributed about 10%and 4%of PM_2.5,respectively.