Size-resolved characteristics of inorganic ionic species in atmospheric aerosols at a regional background site on the South African Highveld

Aerosols consist of organic and inorganic species, and the composition and concentration of these species depends on their sources, chemical transformation and sinks. In this study an assessment of major inorganic ions determined in three aerosol particle size ranges collected for 1 year at Welgegund in South Africa was conducted. SO₄^2? and ammonium (NH₄⁺) dominated the PM₁ size fraction, while SO₄^2? and nitrate (NO₃) dominated the PM_1–2.5 and PM_2.5–10 size fractions. SO₄^2? had the highest contribution in the two smaller size fractions, while NO₃^? had the highest contribution in the PM_2.5–10 size fraction. SO₄^2? and NO₃^? levels were attributed to the impacts of aged air masses passing over major anthropogenic source regions. Comparison of inorganic ion concentrations to levels thereof within a source region influencing Welgegund, indicated higher levels of most species within the source region. However, the comparative ratio of SO₄^2? was significantly lower due to SO₄^2? being formed distant from SO₂ emissions and submicron SO₄^2? having longer atmospheric residencies. The PM at Welgegund was determined to be acidic, mainly due to high concentrations of SO₄^2?. PM₁ and PM_1–2.5 fractions revealed a seasonal pattern, with higher inorganic ion concentrations measured from May to September. Higher concentrations were attributed to decreased wet removal, more pronounced inversion layers trapping pollutants, and increases in household combustion and wild fires during winter. Back trajectory analysis also revealed higher concentrations of inorganic ionic species corresponding to air mass movements over anthropogenic source regions.