Composition and origin of Particulate Matter in the Netherlands

Here, we report the results of a measurement campaign to determine the composition of PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM_10-2.5 at 6 locations in the Netherlands. Generally, there is a considerable conformity in the chemical composition in the Netherlands. Secondary inorganic aerosol and carbonaceous matter are the most important components, followed by significant contributions of sea salt, mineral dust and metals. Through mass closure a considerable part of the PM mass could be explained. The application of a source apportionment technique complemented the analysis based on the interpretation of the chemical data. It confirmed independently a large number of species to be a tracer for a specific activity or source. As such, we have obtained more confidence in the interpretation of the data set. Based on the measured concentrations and estimates of the natural fraction per component it was established that about 75% of PM₁₀ and 80 % of PM_2.5 is man made.

The Netherlands Research Program on Particulate Matter (BOP) is a national program on PM₁₀ and PM_2.5. It is a framework of cooperation involving the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, the Environment and Safety Division of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and TNO Built Environment and Geosciences.