Size-fractionated carbonaceous and iron-rich particulate matter in urban environments of France and Senegal

Road traffic is one of the main sources of particulate matter in the urban environment, emitting particulate organic and elemental carbon compounds and metal-rich particles through combustion and brakes and tires wear. In Western Africa, the carbon and metal composition of airborne particles is also influenced by additional sources linked to biomass combustion and recent industrialization. Here, we investigated the impact of combustion-related and non-combustion-related emissions on the distribution of carbonaceous fractions and iron-rich particles in two urban environments in France and Senegal. The supermicron fraction ( \(D_a>{1}\) $D_a>1$ µm) showed a significantly higher isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) than finer fractions, accounting for 79% in France and 81% in Senegal of the total SIRM. In the submicron fraction ( \(D_a<{1}\) $D_a<1$ µm), we noted significantly higher concentrations of total carbon (TC) and elemental carbon (EC) than for other fractions, both accounting for 71% in France and 68% and 75% in Senegal of the total and elemental particulate carbon concentration, respectively. Electron microscope observations revealed the presence of iron-rich particles for \(D_a<{0.2}\) $D_a<0.2$ µm, however, associated with a weak SIRM. Such iron particles may be produced by combustion or abrasion while we suspect that emissions by the abrasion process produce larger particles.