PM2.5 source identification through a modified potential source contribution function (PSCF)

Abstract

Receptor models based on the traditional mass balance approach provide quantified source identification and apportionment which does not include spatial/directional information of the sources. Application of trajectory-based models of which PSCF is a part of, easily mitigates such a problem. In the absence of reliable airmass backward trajectories for the chosen receptor site (Manila Observatory, Quezon City), the original PSCF formulation of a gridbased study area was modified to use categorized wind directions and speeds instead. Using this modified function, windroses of PSCF values were produced to facilitate a better informed source identification based on their directionality from to the receptor site.