PM 10 black carbon and ionic species concentration of urban atmosphere in Makassar of South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper presents a study on black carbon and ionic species concentrations in PM10, sampled from the urban area of Makassar in the Province of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The samples were collected on a weekly basis within a period of one year from February 2012 to January 2013. Results showed that the mean concentration of PM10 black carbon was 2.01 ± 0.93 μg/m3, while ionic species concentrations were found in descending order; SO42−>NO3−>Cl−>NH4+, with mean concentrations of 1.44 ± 1.04 μg/m3, 1.11 ± 1.06 μg/m3, 0.87 ± 0.91 μg/m3, 0.49 ± 0.64 μg/m3, respectively. Black carbon concentration was higher during the dry months, which may be attributed to uncontrolled biomass burning during hot and dry weather conditions. Similarly, SO42− and NH4+ concentrations were higher during the dry month seasons. On the contrary, Cl− concentration was higher during the wet months, influenced by the marine environment surrounding the area.