Source apportionment of ambient PM10−2.5 and PM2.5 for the Vaal Triangle, South Africa

Luckson Muyemeki; Roelof Burger; Stuart J. Piketh; Brigitte Language; Johan P. Beukes; Pieter G. van Zyl

doi:10.17159/sajs.2021/8617

Authors

Luckson Muyemeki Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7465-5446
Roelof Burger Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4359-4588
Stuart J. Piketh Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2804-879X
Brigitte Language Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9942-7930
Johan P. Beukes Chemical Resource Beneficiation, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3780-4929
Pieter G. van Zyl Chemical Resource Beneficiation, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2021/8617

Keywords:

PM10-2.5, PM2.5, chemical composition, trajectory cluster analysis, source apportionment

Abstract

The Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area (VTAPA), like other priority areas in South Africa, has an air pollution problem. Understanding the sources contributing to air pollution in this priority area will assist in the selection and implementation of appropriate control strategies. For this study, aerosol samples in the coarse (PM_10-2.5) and fine (PM_2.5) fraction were collected at four sites in the VTAPA during summer/autumn, winter, and spring. The contributing sources were identified and characterised based on the elemental and ionic compositions obtained through X-ray fluorescence and ion chromatography analysis. The highest seasonal median concentrations of PM_10-2.5 (116 μg/m³) and PM_2.5 (88 μg/m³) were observed in Sharpeville during the winter. The lowest median concentrations of PM_10-2.5 (25 μg/m³) and PM_2.5 (18 μg/m³) were detected in Zamdela during the summer/autumn period. At all sites, there was a high abundance of crustal elements in PM_10-2.5 and a dominance of coal and biomass combustion-related elements in PM_2.5. The Positive Matrix Factorisation receptor model identified dust-related and secondary aerosols as the major contributing sources of PM_10-2.5. PM_2.5 contributions were predominantly from coal burning for Sebokeng and Sharpeville and from industry, wood and biomass burning, and secondary aerosols for Kliprivier and Zamdela. The results of this study identify the main sources contributing to particulate air pollution in the VTAPA and provide local authorities with valuable information for decision-making.

Significance:

Dust, industry, domestic coal burning, vehicles, and wood and biomass combustion are the key sources of particulate air pollution in the VTAPA that need to be prioritised by decision-makers.
Although Sebokeng and Sharpeville are located within the vicinity of industries, domestic coal burning has a greater contribution to particulate loading at these sites.
Results from this study will assist in the design of local municipality air quality management plans for the VTAPA.