Atmospheric PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 µm) has adverse effects on human health. In addition, PM2.5 can affect biogeochemical cycles and climate as well as the fate, chemistry, and transport of pesticides. Measurements during 2011-2013 indicated that the PM2.5 concentrations in a Rocky Mountain valley (i.e. West Silver Valley - WSV - in Idaho of the United States) have exceeded the 2012 primary annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). To develop effective control strategies to reduce PM2.5 pollution, we conducted source apportionment of PM2.5 in the West Silver Valley using multiple approaches including the PMF, CMB, and AERMOD models. While PMF, CMB, and AERMOD models are very different in methodology, all these approaches show that biomass burning is the dominant source, and traffic is the second largest source of PM2.5 in the WSV. Soil dust and secondary aerosols provide small additional contributions to the annual average PM2.5 concentration in the valley. This study also shows different strengths and weakness of the source apportionment models, which can complement each other to provide information about source contributions, time series, chemical composition, and the spatial pattern. The methods used this study can be used for source apportionment of severe air pollution in other regions.

Significant impact of biomass burning on PM2.5 concentrations in a Rocky Mountain valley: Results of multiple source apportionment models

254th National Meeting (2017)

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