Combined organic and inorganic source apportionment on yearlong ToF-ACSM dataset at a suburban station in Athens

Abstract. The current improvements in aerosol mass spectrometers resolution and sensitivity, the analytical tools for spectra deconvolution, have enabled in-depth analysis of ambient organic (OA) properties. Although OA constitutes a major fraction aerosol, its properties are determined to great extent by mixing characteristics both inorganic components aerosol. This work applies new methodology year-long ACSM dataset assess sources total non-refractory species Athens background provides insights into interactions between species. use innovative applying positive matrix factorization (PMF, rolling window) enables study temporal variability contribution these seasonal changes their composition. were obtained time-of-flight spectrometer (ToF-ACSM) PMF analysis. results revealed five factors when was analysed separately. Three them primary factors: hydrocarbon-like (HOA), cooking-related (COA) biomass burning (BBOA). remaining two secondary, less more oxidized oxygenated (LO-OOA MO-OOA respectively). relative contributions HOA 15 %, COA 18 BBOA 9 34 % LO-OOA 24 (yearly averaged). When combined analysed, additional identified that mainly composed ammonium sulfate (83.5 %) nitrate (73 %). Moreover, secondary resolved, containing organics inorganics named (MOA) (LOA). on yearly average 7 3 28 MOA LOA 26 %.