Application of Anthropogenic and Geochemical Markers in PM1 Particles for Distinguishing Emissions from Coal Combustion and Transport

Abstract

Airborne particles were analysed with aim to distinguish emissions from different sources – coal combustion in large power plants, local heating and transport. Emissions from large facilities were sampled for comparison. Samples of particles collected on filters were analysed by pyrolysis gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Organic substances— geochemical and anthropogenic markers and their diagnostic ratios were determined for particles of size under 1μm in ambient concentrations and particles of size under 2.5 μm in emissions. The results obtained in the industrial city of Ostrava, Czech Republic, showed that the diagnostic ratios—toluene/benzene, pristane/phytane, and undifferentiated/differentiated alkanes can be effectively applied to distinguish the origin of emissions.