Chemical characteristics and causes of airborne particulate pollution in warm seasons in Wuhan, central China
Continuous measurements of airborne particles and their chemical compositions were conducted in May, June, October, and November 2014 at an urban site in Wuhan, central China. The results indicate that particle concentrations remained at a relatively high level in Wuhan, with averages of 135.1 ± 4.4 (mean ± 95 % confidence interval) and 118.9 ± 3.7 µg m−3 for PM10 and 81.2 ± 2.6 and 85.3 ± 2.6 µg m−3 for PM2.5 in summer and autumn, respectively. Moreover, PM2.5 levels frequently exceeded the National Standard Level II (i.e., daily average of 75 µg m−3), and six PM2.5 episodes (i.e., daily PM2.5 averages above 75 µg m−3 for 3 or more consecutive days) were captured during the sampling campaign.