Concentration measurements and chemical characterization of PM2.5 at an industrial coastal site in Saronic Gulf, Greece

Aerosols samples of PM2.5 were collected during October 2004 in the industrial zone of the
greater Athens area, located in the coastal region of Saronic Gulf, westerly of the city. In
particular, two different sites were selected, in order to obtain experimental data from: a) the
shoreline, where industrial activity and vehicular traffic were intense, and b) the mainland, where residential activity and low vehicular traffic were prevailing.
Two low volume (2.3 m3 hr-1) Derenda particulate samplers were used in 24-hour basis as
well as Tissue Quartz 0,47mm filters for the sample collection. After the collection, filters were
stored in a conditioning room (T=20oC and RH=50%) for 24 hours and weighted with the use
of MX-5 Mettler Toledo Microbalance (10-6 gr sensitivity), in order to estimate the daily PM2.5
concentrations. SO42-, NO3- and Cl- anions and Na+, K+, NH4+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ cations
concentrations were estimated, following the Ionic chromatography method.
According to the results, PM2.5 mean concentration in the shoreline reached 46.5 μg m-3,
while the corresponding value for the mainland was 39.0 μg m-3. Να+ cations and SO42- anions presented greater concentrations than all the others cations and anions in both areas.
In particular, Να+ cations concentrations in the shoreline varied between 13.2 and 5.72 μg m-3,
while SO42- anions between 29.5 and 16.6 μg m-3. The respective values in the mainland
varied between 11.8 and 8.32 μg m-3 for Να+ cations and between 28.0 and 4.46 μg m-3 for
SO42- anions. All the other ions concentrations varied in levels 2 – 3 classes of magnitude lower than the ones observed for Να+ and SO42-. As far as the percentage of ions in the total PM2.5 average concentration in the shoreline is concerned, Να+ cations consisted the 22% of the total concentration, while SO42- anions consisted the 55%. The corresponding values for the mainland were 24% and 37%.
It is the purpose of this work to demonstrate the concentration levels as well as the chemical
composition of PM2.5 measured in areas where intense emission rates are observed.
Additionally, the transportation of these pollutants is going to be examined, in order to
evaluate the influence in residential regions nearby the industrial areas, taking under
consideration the meteorological parameters and the atmospheric circulation conditions, such
as sea breezes, which prevail in coastal areas.