成都市PM2.5污染特征及其与地面气象要素的关系分析

为了解成都市PM_2.5污染特征及其与地面气象要素的关系,利用环境空气质量监测资料和地面气象观测资料,分析了PM_2.5质量浓度的季节、月和日变化特征,并分不同空气质量等级分析空气质量与地面气象要素的关系。结果表明：PM_2.5质量浓度具有明显的季节、月和日变化特征,且成都市区6个监测站的变化趋势比较一致;成都市相对湿度较大,地面风速较小,约62%的样本分布在相对湿度80%~100%,约85%的样本分布在地面风速0~2 m·s^-1,地面风速对成都市PM_2.5的水平输送、扩散、稀释不利;降水对PM_2.5的清除量随PM_2.5初始浓度、降雨持续时间和累积降雨量增加而增大。     

日照市区PM10污染物特征及其与气象要素的关系

对2002年1月1日-2002年12月31日日照市环境监测中心提供的PM₁₀(可吸入颗粒物)日平均浓度资料和对应时段的日照市地面气象资料做了深入的分析,揭示了污染物PM₁₀变化特征及其随气象要素的变化规律。同时分析了主要污染物PM₁₀与地面风速、风向间的相关关系,发现日照市大于等于3级的PM₁₀污染日均出现在1-4月,地面风速对污染物PM₁₀浓度有一定影响,当地面风速超过5m/s时,3级及以上污染日很少出现,当地面风速超过6.5m/s时,随着风速的提高,污染物浓度呈下降趋势。污染物浓度呈明显的季节变化,冬、春季节明显高于夏、秋季节。     

苏南三市秋冬季PM2.5中水溶性离子和元素特征及源解析

2010年11月16日至12月17日在南京、常州、苏州三城市设置采样点,24 h采集大气PM_2.5样品,并测定其水溶性无机离子和元素的浓度,在此基础上讨论PM_2.5及无机组分的时空分布特征。结果表明,采样期间,PM_2.5污染较严重,且苏州最重,常州次之,南京最轻,南京、苏州、常州日均浓度分别是国家二级标准(75 μg/m³)的1.44、2.32、1.53倍;三市PM_2.5离子组分中,阴离子均以SO₄^2-和NO₃^-为主,阳离子以Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺为主;苏州Na⁺和Cl^-之间的相关性较高,其受到海盐输送影响较大;三城市PM_2.5中Ca是最主要元素,Al次之。运用主成分法分析南京、常州和苏州PM_2.5的来源可知,三城市PM_2.5受多个污染源影响,包括生物质燃烧、地表扬尘、五金工业及汽车尾气排放等。     

长江三角洲西部地区PM2.5输送轨迹分类研究

长三角4个省会（直辖市）城市（上海、南京、合肥、杭州）中,合肥与南京的PM_2.5浓度演变有较高的一致性。应用聚类分析的方法对2013-2015年合肥非降水日（日降水量低于10 mm）100 m高度（代表近地层）和1000 m高度（代表边界层中上部）的72 h后向轨迹进行分类,结合合肥2013-2015年PM_2.5日均浓度资料,探讨近地层和边界层中上部输送轨迹与长三角西部PM_2.5浓度的关系。近地层和边界层中上部分别得到7组和6组不同的后向轨迹;不同输送轨迹对应的PM_2.5浓度、重污染（重度以上污染,PM_2.5日均浓度大于150 μg/m³）天数、能见度、地面风速、相对湿度等都有显著不同,尤其是在近地层。100 m高度,平均长度最短、来向偏东的轨迹组对应的PM_2.5浓度均值最高（约是组内均值最低值的2倍）、重污染天数最多,且占比最高（30%）,重污染日对应的气流在过去72 h下降高度均值仅28 m,明显低于其他PM_2.5污染等级日;来向偏西北、长度较短的轨迹组,PM_2.5浓度均值和重污染天数为第2高,这一类轨迹占比14%,气流到达本地前存在明显的下沉运动,反映了远距离输送加剧本地PM_2.5重污染的特征。这两类轨迹常对应PM_2.5日均浓度的上升。PM_2.5平均浓度最低的2个轨迹组分别是来自东北和西南的较长轨迹组,所占比例分别为6.4%和10.3%,这2类轨迹往往对应着PM_2.5日均浓度下降。1000 m高度的结果与100 m高度结果类似,但PM_2.5平均浓度的组间差异不及100 m高度,与2001-2005年PM₁₀浓度与输送轨迹的关系不同。对3 a中84个重污染日两个高度的后向轨迹进行聚类,近地层和边界层中上部各得到7类和6类PM_2.5重污染日的天气形势。近地层92%的重污染日对应的海平面气压形势场上,从华北到华东属于均压区,气压梯度小,轨迹来向以偏东到偏北方向为主,垂直方向延伸高度在950 hPa以下。1000 m高度,77%的重污染日属于相对较短的轨迹组,对应的850 hPa高度场特征为从中国西北（新疆）到东南受高压控制,长三角或位于高压底部,或位于两高压之间的均压区。这对PM_2.5浓度预报有较好的指示意义。     

武汉大气能见度与PM2.5浓度及相对湿度关系的非线性分析及能见度预报

武汉作为中部地区高湿度代表城市,大气污染严重,霾天气多发,但有关该地区大气能见度与PM_2.5浓度及相对湿度(RH)的定量关系尚不明确。利用2014年9月—2015年3月武汉地区逐时能见度、相对湿度及颗粒物质量浓度观测数据,研究分析了武汉大气能见度与PM_2.5浓度及相对湿度的关系,并进行能见度非线性预报初探,得到以下结论:武汉霾时数发生比例高,霾的发生和加重是能见度降低的主要原因;能见度降低伴随大量细粒子产生和累积,这是武汉大气能见度恶化的重要诱因。细颗粒物浓度与相对湿度共同影响和制约大气能见度变化,高湿高浓度时能见度显著下降,湿情景下(RH≥40%),能见度恶化主要是由湿度增高诱使细颗粒物粒径吸湿增长导致其散射效率增大造成的。当RH >90%时,能见度随湿度升高成线性递减,相对湿度每升高1%,武汉平均能见度降低0.568 km。而干情景下(RH<40%),能见度迅速降低的关键因素是PM_2.5质量浓度升高。在城市大气细粒子污染背景下,能见度与相对湿度成非线性关系,这主要与PM_2.5对能见度的影响及吸湿性颗粒物的散射效率变化有关。PM_2.5浓度与能见度成幂函数非线性关系,80%≤RH<90%湿度区段下相关性最强。PM_2.5浓度对能见度的影响敏感阈值是随着湿度升高而减小的,干情景下能见度10 km对应的PM_2.5浓度阈值为70 μg/m³,湿情景下该阈值为18—55 μg/m³。当PM_2.5质量浓度低于约40 μg/m³时,继续降低PM_2.5可显著提高武汉大气能见度。预报试验表明,基于神经网络方法建立大气能见度非线性预报模型是可行的,预报能见度相关系数为0.86,均方根误差为1.9 km,能见度≤10 km的TS评分为0.92。网络模型具有较高预报性能,对霾的判别有较高准确性,为衔接区域环境气象数值预报模式,建立大气能见度精细化动力统计模型提供参考依据。     

三亚地区冬春季大气污染特征观测研究

为了研究海南省三亚地区冬春季大气污染状况,于2011年12月—2013年4月的冬春季节在三亚鹿回头村(监测点位于三亚市郊,三面临海,周围没有工业污染源)开展了大气主要污染物(NO_x、O₃、PM_2.5)的连续监测,利用观测数据对三亚地区冬春季大气污染变化特征进行分析.结果表明:三亚地区大气污染物浓度均低于国家一级标准的浓度值,NO、NO₂、NO_x、O₃、PM_2.5质量浓度的日平均值(平均值±标准差)分别为(2.1±2.2)、(5.2±3.4)、(7.3±3.8)、(59.8±28.4)和(17.5±14.3)μg·m^-3.在污染物的日变化方面,NO_x、PM_2.5呈现典型的双峰型,其峰值分别出现在08:00和17:00,峰谷在13:00;O₃的日变化为单峰型,峰值出现在13:00.通过后向轨迹分析发现,三亚地区大气污染物受局地源排放和外源输送的共同影响,来自陆地的气流易造成污染物的积累,而来自海上的气流则有利于污染物的清除.     

南京北郊2011年春季气溶胶粒子的散射特征

利用南京北郊2011年春季积分浊度仪的观测资料,结合PM_2.5质量浓度、能见度和常规气象资料,分析了南京北郊春季气溶胶散射系数的变化特征、散射系数与PM_2.5质量浓度和能见度的关系。结果表明,观测期间气溶胶散射系数平均值为311.5±173.3 Mm^-1,小时平均值出现频率最高的区间为100~200 Mm^-1;散射系数的日变化特征明显,总体为早晚大,中午及午后小。散射系数与PM_2.5质量浓度的变化趋势基本一致,但与能见度呈负相关关系。霾天气期间散射系数日平均值为700.5±341.4 Mm^-1,最高值达到近1 900 Mm^-1;结合地面观测资料、NCEP/NCAR再分析资料和后向轨迹模式分析显示,霾期间气块主要来自南京南部和东南方向。     

2014—2019年北京和南京地区PM2.5和臭氧质量浓度相关性研究

自2014年以来,中国细颗粒物（PM_2.5）浓度大幅度下降,但臭氧（O₃）浓度逐年缓慢上升,厘清PM_2.5和O₃（P-O）相关性尤为关键.在本研究中,2014—2019年北京和南京PM_2.5年均质量浓度下降幅度分别为-6.86和-6.15 μg·m^-3·a^-1;而日最大8小时平均O₃质量浓度（MDA8 O₃）年均增长幅度为1.50和1.75 μg·m^-3·a^-1.研究期间,北京地区MDA8 O₃质量浓度小于100 μg·m^-3,P-O呈负相关;而当质量浓度大于100 μg·m^-3时,P-O为正相关.通过Pearson相关系数研究P-O两者相关性.在两个城市每月相关性分析中,在每日时间尺度5—9月为强的正相关;而小时时间尺度11月至次年2月趋于负相关.在北京,P-O每月和季节相关性变化大于南京.在日变化中,夏季在16时为强的正相关,春秋两季在13—17时为弱的正相关,而在春、秋和冬季8时,却为强的负相关.     

福建三明市春季PM2.5中有机碳、元素碳和水溶性离子特征分析

2014年3月13日至4月20日在福建三明市利用PM_2.5中流量采样器采集大气中PM_2.5膜样品,测定了PM_2.5的质量浓度,并用热/光碳分析仪和离子色谱分析了其组分变化特征.结果表明,三明市观测期间PM_2.5的平均质量浓度为73.61±0.73 μg/m³,有机碳(OC)和元素碳(EC)的平均质量浓度分别为7.26±1.00和5.63±0.27 μg/m³,水溶性离子中SO₄^2-、NH₄⁺、NO₃^-和Na⁺的质量浓度分别为18.08±12.19、4.18±3.56、2.77±1.16和2.73±0.23 μg/m³,总和占总水溶性离子的87.76%.结合后向轨迹分析了福建三明市的污染物来源特征.该地区OC/EC的平均比值小于2,SOC(二次有机碳)生成量很少,主要以一次有机污染物为主,OC、EC与K⁺的相关性分析表明OC、EC与K⁺的来源相近,可以判断OC、EC绝大部分来源是生物质燃烧产生的污染物.在水溶性离子分析中,观测期间NO₃^-/SO₄^2-为0.159±0.02,表明三明市主要以固定源为主,机动车辆等移动源贡献较少.     

湖北省PM2.5质量浓度遥感估算与时空分布特征

针对地面站点稀疏不足以提供高空间覆盖、高空间分辨率的面域PM_2.5数据支撑区域细颗粒物污染防治的问题,以湖北地区2015-2017年的MODIS卫星遥感气溶胶光学厚度（AOD）产品数据为主预测量,结合温度、湿度、风速、压强等气象参数和植被指数数据等辅助预测量,建立了AOD-PM_2.5关系逐日变化的线性混合效应（LME）模型,用于估算湖北地区的PM_2.5浓度水平.利用十折交叉验证方法进行了模型精度评估.结果表明：1）2015-2017年的交叉验证R²分别达到0.89、0.85和0.88,利用MODIS AOD数据反演近地面PM_2.5质量浓度的线性混合效应模型能很好地用于区域细颗粒物遥感监测;2）省内PM_2.5质量浓度空间差异显著,鄂东、鄂南和鄂北高,鄂西北和鄂东南低;3）全省PM_2.5估算时空数据年均值呈下降态势,分别为65.6±39.8、57.1±34.1和48.1±28.3 μg/m³,各市除随州、咸宁2016、2017年年均值持平外,都呈下降趋势.     

Terra和Aqua卫星MODIS 3 km AOD与北京PM_(2.5)对比分析

本文利用2014年全年北京市12个空气质量监测站的逐小时PM_(2.5)地面观测资料,以及Terra卫星和Aqua卫星的MODIS 3 km气溶胶光学厚度(AOD)产品,分析了地面PM_(2.5)和两颗卫星AOD的时空分布特征,并在时空匹配的基础上,建立了AOD与PM_(2.5)浓度之间的回归模型。结果表明:PM_(2.5)浓度在城区高、郊区低,最低值位于定陵站,城区站和郊区站的逐时PM_(2.5)浓度的日变化分别呈"双峰型"和"单峰型";两颗卫星AOD数值也均是城区高、郊区低,沿山区的边界有明显的AOD梯度,且城区上午Terra卫星的AOD高于下午Aqua卫星的AOD,而郊区上、下午的AOD基本相同;Aqua卫星AOD与PM_(2.5)的确定系数(R2)较Terra卫星AOD与PM_(2.5)的确定系数平均高0.11,且城区站点两颗卫星AOD与PM_(2.5)相关性均较郊区站点AOD与PM_(2.5)相关性偏高;综合来看,Aqua卫星的AOD与城区的PM_(2.5)相关系数最高,即Aqua卫星的AOD更适于监测和反演城区地面的PM_(2.5)。     

Relationship Between Fine-Particle Pollution and the Urban Heat Island in Beijing,China: Observational Evidence

Urbanization has led to a significant urban heat island (UHI) effect in Beijing in recent years. At the same time, air pollution caused by a large number of fine particles significantly influences the atmospheric environment, urban climate, and human health. The distribution of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentration and its relationship with the UHI effect in the Beijing area are analyzed based on station-observed hourly data from 2012 to 2016. We conclude that, (1) in the last five years, the surface concentrations of PM_2.5 averaged for urban and rural sites in and around Beijing are 63.2 and 40.7 µg m^?3, respectively, with significant differences between urban and rural sites (ΔPM_2.5) at the seasonal, monthly and daily scales observed; (2) there is a large correlation between ΔPM_2.5 and the UHI intensity defined as the differences in the mean (ΔT_ave), minimum (ΔT_min), and maximum (ΔT_max) temperatures between urban and rural sites. The correlation between ΔPM_2.5 and ΔT_min (ΔT_max) is the highest (lowest); (3) a Granger causality analysis further shows that ΔPM_2.5 and ΔT_min are most correlated for a lag of 1–2 days, while the correlation between ΔPM_2.5 and ΔT_ave is lower; there is no causal relationship between ΔPM_2.5 and ΔT_max; (4) a case analysis shows that downwards shortwave radiation at the surface decreases with an increase in PM_2.5 concentration, leading to a weaker UHI intensity during the daytime. During the night, the outgoing longwave radiation from the surface decreases due to the presence of daytime pollutants, the net effect of which is a slower cooling rate during the night in cities than in the suburbs, leading to a larger ΔT_min.     

Mass concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 fine-dispersed aerosol fractions in the Eastern Gobi Desert

Results are presented of monitoring measurements of the mass concentration of PM₁₀ (particles with the size of less than 10 μm) and PM_2.5 (less than 2.5 μm) fine-dispersed aerosol fractions at the Sainshand and Zamyn-Üüd stations located in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. Revealed are the annual variations of the mass concentration of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 fine-dispersed aerosol fractions at these stations in 2008. The maximum values of monthly mean concentration during the year were observed in May in the period of dust storms. On the days with the steady calm weather, the mass concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 varied within 5–8 μg/m³ (PM₁₀) and 3–5 μg/m³ (PM_2.5) at the Sainshand station. During the dust storms, the maximum values of concentration exceeded 1400 μg/m³ (PM₁₀) and 380 μg/m³ (PM_2.5) that is by 28 (PM₁₀) and 15 (PM_2.5) times higher than the maximum permissible concentration for the European Union. Results are given of studying the frequency and duration of dust storms in recent 20 years (1991–2010) in the Eastern Gobi Desert.     

关中5市环境空气质量特征与成因分析

基于国家生态环境部发布的环境空气质量监测数据等资料,采取调查研究与量化分析相结合的方法,对关中地区西安、渭南、咸阳、铜川、宝鸡5市空气质量的总体特征和空间差异进行研究.结果表明：颗粒污染物普遍严重超标,其中PM_2.5和PM₁₀分别超标91%和77%;空气污染具有明显的季节性,冬季的首要污染物是PM_2.5和PM₁₀,夏季的主要污染物是O₃;关中空气污染受地形、气象条件和工业排放、采暖、施工、道路扬尘、汽车尾气等人类活动综合影响,大气污染具有相似性,同时表现出一定的差异性.     

Size-resolved aerosol chemical concentrations at rural and urban sites in Central California, USA

Aerosol size distributions were measured with Micro Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) cascade impactors at the rural Angiola and urban Fresno Supersites in California's San Joaquin Valley during the California Regional PM₁₀/PM_2.5 Air Quality Study (CRPAQS) winter campaign from December 15, 2000 to February 3, 2001. PM_2.5 filter samples were collected concurrently at both sites with Sequential Filter Samplers (SFS). MOUDI nitrate (NO₃⁻) concentrations reached 66 μg/m³ on January 6, 2001 during the 1000–1600 PST (GMT-8) period. Pair-wise comparisons between PM_2.5 MOUDI and SFS concentrations revealed high correlations at the Angiola site (r > 0.93) but more variability (r < 0.85) at the Fresno site for NO₃⁻, sulfate (SO₄⁼), and ammonium (NH₄⁺). Correlations were higher at Fresno (r > 0.87) than at Angiola (r < 0.7) for organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and total carbon (TC). NO₃⁻ and SO₄⁼ size distributions in Fresno were multi-modal and wider than the uni-modal distributions observed at Angiola. Geometric mean diameters (GMD) were smaller for OC and EC than for NO₃⁻ and SO₄⁼ at both sites. OC and EC were more concentrated on the lowest MOUDI stage (0.056 µm) at Angiola than at Fresno. The NO₃⁻ GMD increased from 0.97 to 1.02 µm as the NO₃⁻ concentration at Angiola increased from 43 to 66 µg m^− 3 during a PM_2.5 episode from January 4–7, 2001. There was a direct relationship between GMD and NO₃⁻ and SO₄⁼ concentrations at Angiola but no such relationships for OC or EC. This demonstrates that secondary aerosol formation increases both concentration and particle size for the rural California environment.     

Effect of urbanization on the urban meteorology and air pollution in Hangzhou

Urbanization has a substantial effect on urban meteorology. It can alter the atmospheric diffusion capability in urban areas and therefore affect pollutant concentrations. To study the effects of Hangzhou’s urban development in most recent decade on its urban meteorological characteristics and pollutant diffusion, 90 weather cases were simulated, covering 9 weather types, with the Nanjing University City Air Quality Prediction System and high-resolution surface-type data and urban construction data for 2000 and 2010. The results show that the most recent decade of urban development in Hangzhou substantially affected its urban meteorology. Specifically, the average urban wind speed decreased by 1.1 m s ^?1; the average intensity of the heat island increased by 0.5°C; and the average urban relative humidity decreased by 9.7%. Based on one case for each of the nine weather types, the impact of urbanization on air pollution diffusion was investigated, revealing that the changes in the meteorological environment decreased the urban atmosphere’s diffusion capability, and therefore increased urban pollutant concentrations. For instance, the urban nitrogen oxides concentration increased by 2.1 μg m ^?3 on average; the fine particulate matter (diameter of 2.5 μm or less; PM_2.5) pollution concentration increased by 2.3 μg m ^?3 on average; in highly urbanized areas, the PM_2.5 concentration increased by 30 μg m ^?3 and average visibility decreased by 0.2 km, with a maximum decrease of 1 km; the average number of daily hours of haze increased by 0.46 h; and the haze height lifted by 100–300 m. The “self-cleaning time” of pollutants increased by an average of 1.5 h.     

2020年新冠肺炎疫情管控期江苏省大气污染物浓度变化特征北大核心

利用江苏省大气环境监测站点的大气污染物监测数据,分析了2020年初新冠肺炎疫情管控期间(2—3月)主要大气污染物浓度的变化特征。结果显示,相比于2019、2020年疫情管控期间PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、NO_(2)、SO_(2)、CO浓度的全省平均降幅分别为37.5%、36.9%、31.9%、28.2%和21.2%。严格管控期的2月和生产恢复期的3月,江苏省十三市PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)浓度同比降幅大致相当,呈现出较好的时间连续性和空间均匀性。但各市臭氧浓度同比变化呈现出较大的时空差异。空间上,沿江以南城市南京、无锡、常州、苏州和镇江五市臭氧浓度明显上升,而其他城市臭氧浓度以下降为主;时间上,2月南京等九市臭氧浓度上升,3月徐州等八市臭氧浓度持平或者下降。假设未发生新冠肺炎疫情以及未采取为阻断疫情蔓延而实施的种种举措,在仅考虑近年来大气污染防治政策持续实施的情况下,与预期降幅相比,疫情管控对NO_(2)实况浓度降幅的影响最大,其次是PM_(2.5)和PM_(10)。     

Local and regional sources of fine and coarse particulate matter based on traffic and background monitoring

The aim of this study was to identify local and exogenous sources affecting particulate matter (PM) levels in five major cities of Northern Europe namely: London, Paris, Hamburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm. Besides local emissions, PM profile at urban and suburban areas of the European Union (EU) is also influenced by regional PM sources due to atmospheric transport, thus geographical city distribution is of a great importance. At each city, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, NO₂, SO₂, CO and O₃ air pollution data from two air pollution monitoring stations of the EU network were used. Different background characteristics of the selected two sampling sites at each city facilitated comparisons, providing a more exact analysis of PM sources. Four source apportionment methods: Pearson correlations among the levels of particulates and gaseous pollutants, characterisation of primal component analysis components, long-range transport analysis and extrapolation of PM size distribution ratios were applied. In general, fine (PM_2.5) and coarse (PM₁₀) particles were highly correlated, thus common sources are suggested. Combustion-originated gaseous pollutants (CO, NO₂, SO₂) were strongly associated to PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, primarily at areas severely affected by traffic. On the contrary, at background stations neighbouring important natural sources of particles or situated in suburban areas with rural background, natural emissions of aerosols were indicated. Series of daily PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios showed that minimum fraction values were detected during warm periods, due to higher volumes of airborne biogenic PM coarse, mainly at stations with important natural sources of particles in their vicinity. Hybrid single-particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory model was used, in order to extract 4-day backward air mass trajectories that arrived in the five cities which are under study during days with recorded PM₁₀ exceedances. At all five cities, a significantly large fraction of those trajectories were classified in short- and medium-range clusters, thus transportation of particulates along with slow moving air masses was identified. A finding that supports the assumption of long-range transport is that, at background stations, long-range transportation effects were stronger, in comparison to traffic stations, due to less local particle emissions. Short-range trajectories associated to PM transport in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Hamburg were mainly of a continental origin. All three cities were approached by slow moving air masses originated from Poland and the Czech Republic, whereas Copenhagen and Stockholm were also influenced by short-range trajectories from Germany and France and from Jutland Peninsula and Scandinavian Peninsula, respectively. London and Paris are located to the north-west part of Europe. Trajectories of short and medium length arrived to these two megacities mainly through France, Germany, UK and North Atlantic.     

Influence of traffic emissions on the composition of atmospheric particles of different sizes—Part 2: SEM–EDS characterization

In urban areas traffic is the major contributor to atmospheric particulate matter and exposure to these particles currently represents a serious risk to human health. The attention has been recently focused more on the particles of smaller sizes (PM_2.5) which penetrate deeper in respiratory system causing severe health effects. Therefore, more information on PM_2.5 should be provided, namely concerning morphological and chemical characterization. Aiming further evaluation of the impact of traffic emissions on public health, this work evaluated the influence of traffic on the chemical and morphological characteristics of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, collected at one site influenced by traffic emissions and at one reference site. Chemical and morphological characteristics of 1,000 individual particles were determined by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM–EDS). Cluster analysis (CA) was used to identify different types of particles that occurred in PM, aiming the identification of the respective emission sources. Traffic PM_2.5 were dominated by particles composed of Fe oxides and alloys (67%) which were related to traffic emissions (this percentage was 3.7 times higher than at the background site); in PM_2.5–10 the abundance of Fe oxides and alloys were 20% and 0% for the traffic and background sites, respectively. Background PM_2.5 were mainly constituted by aluminum silicates (63%) related to natural sources (this percentage was 2.5 times higher than at the traffic site); the abundances of aluminum silicates in PM_2.5–10 were 74% and 73% for traffic and background sites, respectively. It was concluded that traffic emissions were mainly present in PM_2.5 (the percentage of particles associated to these emissions was 3.4 times higher than in PM_2.5–10), while coarse particles were dominated by material of natural origin (the percentage of particles associated was 1.2 and 3.0 times higher than in PM_2.5 for traffic and background sites, respectively). Previous results obtained by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) were consistent with SEM–EDS analysis that showed to be very useful to complement elemental analysis of different PM_2.5 and PM_2.5–10.