Multivariate Analysis on Trace Elements of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Industrial and Sub-Urban Area

Abstract

Study on fine particles (PM_2.5) and its effects towards health and environment has become as main concerned of present study. Therefore, the study was conducted to identify PM_2.5, tracking the elements and sources at industrial and sub-urban area. E-BAM was used to measure the concentration of PM_2.5 and meteorological parameters during sampling. The PM_2.5 samples were analyzed to identify elements using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). PM_2.5 concentrations were higher in industrial site (46.00 μg m^-3) compared to sub-urban site (16.67 μg m^-3), due to anthropogenic sources which were factories and major roads that located nearby study area. From PM_2.5 samples analysis, it showed that Al, K, and Ca elements were the highest average among 13 elements measured in PM_2.5 at both sites.  Finally, based on PCA analysis, it showed that three main component groups had been identified: Na, Al, K, Ca, Ti, Sr, Cr and Mg can be associated with natural sources, Mn, Fe, Ni and Zn sources were linked to industrial activity sources, while Pb had been identified as a vehicle source for each area. In conclusion, the concentration of PM_2.5 and its elements in different locations provide different readings which depending on the sources of PM_2.5 at site. The finding from this study can assist local authorities to monitor and predict the highest concentration of PM_2.5 in problematic areas.