Study of main and signature sources of particulate matter pollutants in Limeira City (Brazil) using SR-TXRF

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)The study's objective was to identify the main generating sources of particulate matter from the Limeira City (SP), Brazil. Particulate matter collections were carried out at the meteorological station of the Technology Department of Campinas State University by using a sequential filtration sampling system. Using synchrotron radiation total reflection X-ray fluorescence makes it possible to perform quality quantitative analysis of the particulate matter collected during the years 2008 and 2009. Respirable particulate matter's coarse and fine fractions that affect the upper and lower respiratory tract were collected on polycarbonate filters arranged in series. At the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory, samples were analyzed by synchrotron radiation total reflection X-ray fluorescence after removal from acid. Results indicated that the coarse fraction made the greatest contribution to PM10 formation. As per the particulate matter composition, 16 elements were found in both fractions: S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Ba, and Pb. The determination of the probable emission sources contributing to the formation of particulate material was possible by applying multivariate statistical analyses, namely principal components analysis and cluster analysis. The primary emission source for the coarse fraction was soil dust, which contributed 57%, followed by 30% from vehicular emissions, and lastly, only 13% from industrial emissions. The primary emission source for the fine fraction was soil dust, which contributed 79%, followed by 13% from vehicular emissions, and lastly, only 8% from industrial emissions. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.424SI290298Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Synchrotron Light Source Laboratory [7804, 8121, 8671]Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [2008/02443-9]CNPq [474007/2007-3, 308432/2007]Synchrotron Light Source Laboratory [7804, 8121, 8671