Characteristics and sources analysis of PM2.5 in a major industrial city of northern Xinjiang, China

A low-vol sampler was used to collect PM2.5 samples for half-year in three sampling sites, including industrial park (A1), school (A2), factory (A3) in Shihezi, China. The result showed that the high levels of Na+ and K+ were likely originate from burning Zhundong coal. In general, the atmospheric aerosol of A1, A2 and A3 was alkaline. Most of the OC (organic carbon)/EC (element carbon) values were greater than 2.2, which indicated that there was significant secondary pollution. In the carbon component analysis, the values of OC1, EC2 and EC3 were significantly lower than OC2, OC3, OC4 and EC1. In addition, OC2 accounts for the largest proportion of OC. Combined with the source analysis of water-soluble ions, carbon component and HYSPLIT Trajectory Model, the main sources of Shihezi were local coal-fired emissions, road dust and car exhaust, and pollutants transmitted from western cities. This study provides a basis for investigating the pollution sources of PM2.5 and the influence of Zhundong coal combustion in Shihezi in the future.