Seasonal variation of water-soluble inorganic ions and carbonaceous components of PM2.5 and PM1 in industrial and residential areas of Suizhou, China

Seasonal variations of fine particulate matter (PM) and its chemical components in Suizhou are investigated by collecting PM2.5 and PM1 samples from industrial and residential areas between March 2017 and February 2018. The findings reveal more severe PM pollution in industrial areas compared to residential areas. Concentrations and percentages of water-soluble inorganic ions (WSII) in PM are higher in spring and winter. Notably, the high levels of SO42− and NO3− in PM1-2.5 indicate that secondary transformation of SO2 and NOx significantly contribute to the rapid increase in PM1-2.5. The conversion of NO2 to NO3− is a key factor in the winter increase of mass concentrations of PM2.5 [ρ(PM2.5)], while photochemical reactions involving NO2 drive the summer increase of ρ(PM2.5). Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) are mainly distributed in PM1, with OC peaking in winter. Chemical fractionation of PM reveals that carbonaceous components have a greater impact on PM1 concentration than WSII, whereas WSII more significantly affects ρ(PM2.5) than carbonaceous components. The OC to EC ratio in industrial areas (2.5 ± 1.4) and residential areas (1.9 ± 0.8) suggests more prominent secondary aerosol pollution in industrial areas. Significant correlations between secondary organic carbon (SOC), SOC conversion rate (ηSOC), and concentrations of O3-8h and NO2 in Suizhou further indicate that O3 and NO2 levels in the atmosphere influence the generation of SOC and ηSOC.