An investigation on airborne particulate matter composition at the Sarıtepe campus, Boğaziçi University

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) are released into the atmosphere from both anthropogenic sources such as transport and biomass burning and from natural sources such sea-salt, soil dust and vegetation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate chemical composition and possible sources of airborne particulate matter (PM) at the Sarıtepe campus of Boğaziçi University which is located along the Black Sea coast. The campus is also close to the forests of northwestern Istanbul and the newly opened highway connecting to the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge. Particulate matter samples were collected from various locations. The study extended over a period of 10 months (21 March 2017 to 20 January 2018). Sensitive laboratory techniques (ICP-OES, IC, AAS) were used for the analysis of the collected solid and aqueous phases. In total 360 samples were analyzed for 26 parameters: F-, Cl-, NO2-, NO3-, SO42, PO43-, Br-, Mg+, Ca2+, K+, Na+, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Cd, Pb, Si, Co, Mo, pH, TDS and electrical conductivity. Potential sources of the collected PM were investigated using a multivariate factor analysis technique (PMF). Results of the study show that the metal compositions are highly correlated to each other. Concentrations of some metals are higher than some reported data in the literature. The composition of the collected PM indicates that both anthropogenic and natural sources have contributed to the PM in the study area. Specifically, PMF analysis suggests that the PM most likely originates from 4 sources: agricultural activity, burning processes, marine aerosol, and roadway transportation.