Seasonal and spatial variability in chemical composition and mass closure of ambient ultrafine particles in the megacity of Los Angeles

Abstract

Emerging toxicological research has shown that ultrafine particles (UFP, d_p < 0.1–0.2 μm) may be more potent than coarse or fine particulate matter. To better characterize quasi-UFP (PM_0.25, d_p < 0.25 μm), we conducted a year-long sampling campaign at 10 distinct areas in the megacity of Los Angeles, including source, near-freeway, semi-rural receptor and desert-like locations. Average PM_0.25 mass concentration ranged from 5.9 to 16.1 μg m⁻³ across the basin and over different seasons. Wintertime levels were highest at the source site, while lowest at the desert-like site. Conversely, summertime concentrations peaked at the inland receptor locations. Chemical mass reconstruction revealed that quasi-UFP in the basin consisted of 49–64% organic matter, 3–6.4% elemental carbon, 9–15% secondary ions (SI), 0.7–1.3% trace ions, and 5.7–17% crustal material and trace elements, on a yearly average basis. Organic carbon (OC), a major constituent of PM_0.25, exhibited greatest concentrations in fall and winter at all sites, with the exception of the inland areas. Atmospheric stability conditions and particle formation favored by condensation of low-volatility organics contributed to these levels. Inland, OC concentrations peaked in summer due to increased PM_0.25 advection from upwind sources coupled with secondary organic aerosol formation. Among SI, nitrate peaked at semi-rural Riverside sites, located downwind of strong ammonia sources. Moreover, ionic balance indicated an overall neutral quasi-UFP aerosol, with somewhat lower degree of neutralization at near-freeway sites in winter. Anthropogenic metals peaked at the urban sites in winter while generally increased at the receptor areas in summer. Lastly, coefficients of divergence analysis showed that while PM_0.25 mass is relatively spatially homogeneous in the basin, some of its components, mainly EC, nitrate and several toxic metals, are unevenly distributed. These results suggest that population exposure to quasi-UFP can substantially vary by season and over short spatial scales in the megacity of Los Angeles.