| Summary: | In early 2017 high particulate matter (PM) levels were observed across mid-Europe, including Austria. Here we characterize PM pollution in the city of Graz during January to March 2017, a period with substantial exceedances (34 days) of the European Union (EU) PM<sub>10</sub> short time limit value. This study evaluates whether the observed exceedances can be attributed to the accumulation of pollutants emitted by local sources or to a larger scale pollution episode including transport. The analyses are based on the ratios of PM<sub>10</sub> concentrations determined at an urban and background site, and the analyses of chemical composition of PM<sub>2.5</sub> samples (i.e., water soluble ions, organic and elemental carbon, anhydro-sugars, humic-like substances, aluminum, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Source apportionment was realized using a macro-tracer model. Overall, the combination of different approaches (PM<sub>10</sub> ratios, chemical composition, and macro-tracer derived source apportionment) enabled a conclusive identification of time periods characterized by the accumulation of emissions from local sources or regional pollution episodes.
|
|---|