Source Apportionment and Characterization of Water Insoluble Single Particulate Matters in Rain Sequences Using Particle Size Analyzer and Scanning Electron Microscopy

In this study, eight independent rainfall events were sampled sequentially from September 20, 2019 to June 15, 2020, in Bartın province located at the western Black Sea coast of Turkey. Manually collected volume based sequential samples were analyzed for pH and water soluble ions involving F - , Cl - , NO 3 - , SO 4 2– , PO 4 3- , Na + , K + , NH 4 + , Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ . Total trace and major elements (sum of soluble and insoluble fractions), and elemental and organic carbons (EC and OC) contents of the sequential samples were measured. Water insoluble particulate matters in the sequential samples were characterized for their sizes, morphologies and the compositions by using Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and particle size analyzer. Results of SEM-EDS, particle size distributions, chemical analyses and the upper atmospheric backtrajectories were used to apportion the sources of the water insoluble single particulate matters in sequential rain samples. Using the proposed method, iron-steel facilities, and thermal power plants were identified as the significant regional sources. Urban traffic and natural emission were identified as the local sources.