Characterisation of particulate matter and identification of emission sources in Greater Caracas, Venezuela

Morantes, Giobertti; González, Jean Carlos; Rincón, Gladys

Abstract

Between June-September 2018, particulate matter (PM) samples were taken in the Sartenejas Valley, southeast of Greater Caracas, Venezuela. The aim was to evaluate the morphology and the elemental chemical composition of particulate matter and establish possible emission sources during the rainy season. Functional groups were identified by FT-IR spectroscopic analysis, and morphology and elemental composition were obtained by SEM-EDX analysis. The sampling period coincided with a Sahara dust storm. The SEM-EDX and FT-IR analysis found evidence of mineral elements related to soil and crustal origins. The presence of C-rich or C-containing aerosols is related to biological sources or mineral carbon. SEM-EDX analysis of PM revealed the following particle groups: geogenic, metallic, C-rich and secondary aerosols. Quantitative source appointments through principal component analysis corroborated PM sources, including soil dust, sea salts and reacted aerosols. According to the authors' knowledge, this study represents the first report to indicate that an episode of African dust could influence the particles collected in an intertropical continental sector in South America (Venezuela).

Citation

Morantes, G., González, J. C., & Rincón, G. (2021). Characterisation of particulate matter and identification of emission sources in Greater Caracas, Venezuela. Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health, 14(12), 1989-2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-021-01070-2

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 1, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 13, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Deposit Date: Sep 3, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 13, 2021
• Journal: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health
• Print ISSN: 1873-9318
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-9326
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1989-2014
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-021-01070-2
• Keywords: Particulate Matter; SEM-EDX analysis; FTIR analysis; PCR; Emission Sources; Venezuela
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6142069
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-021-01070-2