Characterization of airborne particulate fractions from the port city of Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

The aim of this work was characterization of airborne particulates in the port city of Rijeka in order to evaluate impact of ship emissions on air quality. Samples of airborne particulates were collected with a ten stages cascade impactor during two campaigns: autumn and spring. A total of 16 weekly samples were analyzed on mass concentration, ions, metals and carbonaceous species (EC, OC, WSOC). Distribution of airborne fractions showed a bimodal distribution, with two maxima: one in coarse, and other in fine fraction. Source apportionment using PMF receptor model identified six sources of airborne particulates in Rijeka: crustal, biomass burning, sea salt, traffic/metal industry, combustion/SIA and HFO burning, i.e., ship emission (contribution 3%). The contribution of ship traffic to primary emission of particulate matter, using vanadium as tracer, indicated a twofold increase for PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 relative to 2012-14. An unusual desert dust event was registered in autumn campaign.

Keywords: Airborne particulates; Carbonaceous species; Desert dust; Ions; Metals; Ship emission.