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Characteristic Chemical Profile of Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 )—A Comparative Study Between Two Periods, Case Study in Medellín, Colombia

Author

Listed:
  • Mauricio A. Correa-Ochoa

    (Grupo de Investigación y Laboratorio de Monitoreo Ambiental—G-LIMA, Universidad de Antioquia—UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia)

  • Miriam Gómez-Marín

    (Grupo GHYGAM, Facultad de Ingeniería, Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid, Cra. 48 No. 7-151, Medellín 050021, Colombia)

  • Kelly Viviana Patiño-López

    (Grupo GHYGAM, Facultad de Ingeniería, Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid, Cra. 48 No. 7-151, Medellín 050021, Colombia)

  • David Aguiar

    (Grupo de Investigación y Laboratorio de Monitoreo Ambiental—G-LIMA, Universidad de Antioquia—UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia)

  • Santiago A. Franco

    (Grupo de Investigación y Laboratorio de Monitoreo Ambiental—G-LIMA, Universidad de Antioquia—UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellín 050010, Colombia)

Abstract

Medellín, a densely populated city in the Colombian Andes, faces significant health and environmental risks due to poor air quality. This is linked to the atmospheric dynamics of the valley in which it is located (Aburrá Valley). The region is characterized by a narrow valley and one of the most polluted areas in South America. This is a comparative study of the chemical composition of PM 2.5 (particles with diameter less than 2.5 µm) in Medellín between two periods (2014–2015 and 2018–2019) in which temporal trends and emission sources were evaluated. PM 2.5 samples were collected from urban, suburban, and rural stations following standardized protocols and compositional analyses of metals (ICP-MS), ions (ion chromatography), and carbonaceous species (organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) by thermo-optical methods) were performed. The results show a reduction in average PM 2.5 concentrations for the two periods (from 26.74 µg/m 3 to 20.10 µg/m 3 in urban areas), although levels are still above WHO guidelines. Urban stations showed higher PM 2.5 levels, with predominance of carbonaceous aerosols (Total Carbon—TC = OC + EC = 35–50% of PM 2.5 mass) and secondary ions (sulfate > nitrate, 13–14% of PM 2.5 mass). Rural areas showed lower PM 2.5 concentrations but elevated OC/EC ratios, suggesting the influence of biomass burning as a major emission source. Metals were found to occupy fractions of less than 10% of the PM 2.5 mass; however, they included important toxic species associated with respiratory and cardiovascular risks. This study highlights progress in reducing PM 2.5 levels in the region, which has been impacted by local policies but emphasizes current and future challenges related mainly to secondary aerosol formation and carbonaceous aerosol emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Mauricio A. Correa-Ochoa & Miriam Gómez-Marín & Kelly Viviana Patiño-López & David Aguiar & Santiago A. Franco, 2025. "Characteristic Chemical Profile of Particulate Matter (PM 2.5 )—A Comparative Study Between Two Periods, Case Study in Medellín, Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5380-:d:1676461
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Henrik Olstrup & Christer Johansson & Bertil Forsberg, 2016. "The Use of Carbonaceous Particle Exposure Metrics in Health Impact Calculations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Neil J. Hime & Guy B. Marks & Christine T. Cowie, 2018. "A Comparison of the Health Effects of Ambient Particulate Matter Air Pollution from Five Emission Sources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-24, June.
    3. Min Jiang & Euijune Kim & Youngjin Woo, 2020. "The Relationship between Economic Growth and Air Pollution—A Regional Comparison between China and South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-20, April.
    4. Mauricio A. Correa-Ochoa & Roxana Bedoya & Luisa M. Gómez & David Aguiar & Carlos A. Palacio-Tobón & Henry A. Colorado, 2023. "A Review on the Characterization and Measurement of the Carbonaceous Fraction of Particulate Matter," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.
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