Black carbon contamination in urban street dust of Xuzhou: pollution characteristics, magnetic responses and source identification
摘要
This study aimed to decipher the magnetic response mechanisms and identify multi-source contributions to black carbon (BC) pollution in street dust from the industrial city of Xuzhou. Street dust samples collected from the city’s main roads were systematically analyzed to determine the spatial distribution characteristics and correlations between BC content and magnetic parameters (χ, SIRM, χARM, χfd). The results showed that BC concentrations in street dust ranged from 3.6 to 27.7 g kg⁻1, with an average of 14.5 g kg⁻1, indicating widespread pollution. Particle size distribution analysis revealed that BC was predominantly enriched in the 50–154 µm fraction, which accounted for 66.5% of the total BC mass. BC and the magnetic parameters (χ, SIRM, χARM) exhibited similar spatial distribution patterns, closely aligned with heavy traffic and industrial zones. Significant positive correlations were found between BC and χ, SIRM, and χARM (r = 0.45–0.55), with the strongest correlation observed with χARM. Source analysis indicated that BC primarily originated from traffic emissions and industrial activities. This study confirms that environmental magnetic parameters can serve as effective proxies for BC pollution in street dust, offering a reliable technique for rapid screening and source apportionment of urban BC contamination.