Spatiotemporal Variations and Possible Sources of Ambient PM10 from 2003 to 2012 in Luzhou, China

Descriptive statistics methods were used to study the spatiotemporal variations and sources of ambient particulate matter ($PM_{10}$) in Luzhou, China. The analyzed datasets were collected from four national air quality monitoring stations: Jiushi (S1), Xiaoshi (S2), Zhongshan (S3), Lantian (S4) over the period of 2003-2012. This city was subjected serious $PM_{10}$ pollution, and the long-term annual average $PM_{10}$ concentrations varied from 76 to $136{\mu}g/m^3$. The maximum concentration was more than 3-fold of the annual average ($40{\mu}g/m^3$) issued by EPA-China for the ambient air quality. General temporal pattern was characterized by high concentrations in winter and low concentrations in summer, and general spatial gradient was in the reduction order of S2 > S4 > S3 > S1, which were both due to different particulate contributors and special meteorological conditions. The source apportionment indicated that vehicular emissions, road dusts, coal burning and chemical dusts were the major contributors of the identified $PM_{10}$ pollution, and the vehicular emissions and the road wear re-suspended particles dominated the heavy $PM_{10}$ pollution in recent years. Two other potential sources, agricultural and celebration activities could decrease the air quality in a short term. Finally, some corresponding suggestions and measures were provided to improve the air quality.