US EPA

118334 

Journal Article 

Application of PSCF and CPF to PMF-Modeled Sources of PM25 in Pittsburgh 

Pekney, NJ; Davidson, CI; Zhou, L; Hopke, PK 

2006 

Yes 

Aerosol Science and Technology
ISSN: 0278-6826
EISSN: 1521-7388 

40 

10 

952-961 

English 

10.1080/02786820500543324 

WOS:000239954300019 

Ambient PM sub(2.5) composition data in Pittsburgh, PA have been used with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to determine the major sources of PM sub(2.5) sampled. This paper describes the use of the potential source contribution function (PSCF) with the PMF-modeled source contributions to locate the sources in a grid of 0.1 degree x 0.1 degree cells. The domain extends from the Pittsburgh Supersite at 40.44 degree N, 79.94 degree W over the range 35 degree -50 degree north latitude and 75 degree -90 degree west longitude. Six-hour back trajectories have been obtained from HYSPLIT four times each day for the 13 months of the study for use with PSCF. Using the results, higher probability locations are compared with known locations of specific source types, based on information from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) and the EPA AIRS Database. PSCF results for several sources are compared to the conditional probability function (CPF) analysis, which uses 15-minute wind direction data to determine the most probable direction of a source. Using PSCF and CPF together aids in interpretation of potential source regions. The selenium and sulfate factor source locations are regional, while the lead, cadmium, and specialty steel factor source locations are local. The gallium-rich and Fe, Mn, and Zn factor source locations are potentially both local and regional. The nitrate, vehicle emissions and road dust, wood combustion, vegetative detritus and cooking, and crustal material factor CPF and PSCF results were inconclusive as sources of these factors exist in all directions from the site and therefore one would not expect a clear probability field in any one direction. 

Article Subject Terms: Aerosols; Atmospheric pollution; Atmospheric; pollution by motor vehicles; Dust; EPA; Emissions; Highways; Lead; Nitrates; Particle size; Particulate matter in atmosphere; Selenium; Steel; Sulfates; Wind; Wind direction; Wood; Article Geographic Terms:; USA, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh; M2 551.510.42 Air Pollution (551.510.42); P 0000 AIR POLLUTION; EE 20; Air Pollution: Monitoring, Control & Remediation