| There is a growing need to continuously monitor chemical pollutants and, in particular, the fine particulate of PM2.5 in ambient air. The chemical composition in Toronto and Vancouver PM2.5 was studied, and applied on a multivariate source apportionment model - Positive Matrix Factorization. F-test and factor indicator function were performed to determine the number of sources. PMF found six and five sources contributing to Toronto and Vancouver PM2.5 respectively. The model predicted Toronto mainly comprised of 56% of localized vehicle-related sources and 41.5% is imported from coal-fired power plant source. Wintertime haze in Toronto apparently arises from ammonium nitrate-rich aerosol. Vancouver sources contained 73.4% of localized motor vehicles, 22.8% hydrocarbon as secondary dicarboxylic acid, and 3.8% sea salt aerosol. The result obtained is useful for developing a sustainable and cost effective management strategy for the air quality system in the Toronto and Vancouver areas. |
