The characteristics of PM2.5 in Beijing, China

Kebin He, Fumo Yang, Yongliang Ma, Qiang Zhang, Xiaohong Yao, Chak K. Chan, Steven Cadle, Tai Chan, Patricia Mulawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1071 Scopus citations

Abstract

Weekly PM2.5 samples were simultaneously collected at a residential (Tsinghua University) and a downtown (Chegongzhuang) site in Beijing from July 1999 through September 2000. The ambient mass concentration and chemical composition of the PM2.5 were determined. Analyses included elemental composition, water-soluble ions, and organic and elemental carbon. Weekly PM2.5 mass concentrations ranged from 37 to 357μg/m3, with little difference found between the two sites. Seasonal variation of PM2.5 concentrations was significant, with the highest concentration in the winter and the lowest in the summer. Spring dust storms had a strong impact on the PM2.5. Overall, organic carbon was the most abundant species, constituting no less than 30% of the total PM2.5 mass at both sites. Concentrations of organic and elemental carbon were 35% and 16% higher at Tsinghua University than at Chegongzhuang. Ammonium, nitrate and sulfate were comparable at the sites, accounting for 25-30% of the PM2.5 mass. Copyright © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4959-4970
Number of pages12
JournalAtmospheric Environment
Volume35
Issue number29
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2001
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • Atmospheric Science

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