Atmospheric particulate (PM10 and PM2.5) mass concentration and seasonal variation study in the Taiwan area during 2000-2008

Hourly data of PM10 particulate concentrations collected from seven air quality monitoring stations (Banciao, Guanyin, Shalu, Erlin, Tainan, Hualien, and Taitung) in Taiwan were analyzed during the years 2000 to 2008. Hourly data of PM2.5 particulate concentrations collected from seven air quality monitoring stations (Banciao, Guanyin, Shalu, Erlin, Tainan, Hualien, and Taitung) in Taiwan were analyzed during the years 2006 to 2008. The distance between the monitoring stations and the diurnal variation of particulates PM10 and PM2.5 distribution detected at those monitoring stations were also analyzed. The mean particle concentration of PM10 was significantly higher in the Erlin and Tainan areas than all other monitoring stations in Taiwan during the monitoring period. The range of the ratios of PM2.5/PM10 mass concentrations at Banciao, Guanyin, Shalu, Erlin, Tainan, Hualien, and Taitung was 0.59-0.62, 0.45-0.51, 0.49-0.56, 0.54-0.71, 0.55-0.64, 0.56-0.61, and 0.26-0.52 during 2006 to 2008, respectively. Finally, the highest mean PM2.5 particle concentration was detected during spring at the Banciao, Hualien, and Taitung air quality monitoring stations in Taiwan during the monitoring period. The highest mean PM2.5 particle concentration was recorded during winter at the Guanyin, Shalu, Erlin, and Tainan air quality monitoring stations during the years of 2000-2008.