Chemical composition of PM2.5 particles in Salamanca, Guanajuato Mexico: Source apportionment with receptor models

The National Institute of Ecology, through Management General for Environmental Research and Training (DGCENICA) carried out a sampling campaign where a total of 21 elements were determined in 140 PM2.5 samples from one sampling site located in the city of Salamanca, Guanajuato-Mexico between November 2006 and November 2007. The annual average PM2.5 concentration was 45 μg/m3 almost three times the Mexican Annual standard for PM2.5. Mineral, organic and elemental carbon were the most important components present in particles PM2.5. Two advanced receptor models, UNMIX and positive matrix factorization (PMF) were used for PM2.5 source identification. Four and six sources were identified by UNMIX and PMF, respectively, from a combined dataset including 15 chemical species. Source categories were determined based on both, component abundances in the source profiles, and their temporal characteristics. Overall, different sources were identified as the major contributors: heavy fuels combustion, traditional brick production-agricultural burning, crustal, road traffic and secondary organic aerosols.

► Average PM2.5 concentration measured was 44 μg/m3 exceeding Mexican Annual standard.
► Organic matter, elemental carbon and soil comprise the majority of the PM 2.5 mass.
► An evidence of the industries emissions influence in the PM2.5 composition was founded.
► Results of two source apportionment techniques (UNMIX and PMF) were compared
► Four sources were identified: industrial combustion, brick production, crustal and traffic.