Characterization of the Air Quality in Split, Croatia Focusing Upon Fine and Coarse Particulate Matter Analysis

<div><p>The study presents statistical analysis of air quality parameters for a five-year period including PM_2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter, <i>d</i>_<i>a</i> < 2.5 µm) and PM₁₀ (<i>d</i>_<i>a</i> < 10 µm) concentrations measured at three stations in Split region, along with NO, NO_x, NO₂, SO₂, and black smoke data. Average concentrations of PM_2.5 at three different stations were 28.2, 19.9, and 14.3 µg m⁻³, whereas those for PM₁₀ were 17.8, 25.8, and 15.2 µg m⁻³. Generally, high correlations between PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ (0.62 and 0.54 respectively) were determined between industrial and residential stations, while lower correlation (0.22 between PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) was observed at a station in traffic and industrial area. Contributions of different sources were determined using multivariate receptor modeling (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) and it was found that the major source of pollution was in accordance with the station position. Comparison of particle mass concentrations with those reported for different European cities indicate lower loading for PM in the Split Region.</p> </div