EVALUATION OF SPATIAL PATTERNS OF FINE-PARTICLE SULFUR AND LEAD CONCENTRATIONS IN NEW-SOUTH-WALES, AUSTRALIA

Data from a network of 24 fine particle sampling sites in New South Wa les, Australia, were analyzed with principal component analysis follow ed by a varimax orthogonal rotation to evaluate the spatial patterns o f fine particle sulfur and lead concentrations. Lead and sulfur were c hosen because of the distinct differences in the nature of their emiss ion and behavior in the atmosphere. Lead is a primary emission coming from combustion of leaded motor vehicle fuels and industrial processes , whereas sulfate is principally a secondary particulate species that is formed in the atmosphere from primary SO2 emissions. Based on the r esults obtained, three groups of sites were identified for sulfur. Gro up A consists of 12 sites along the eastern plain. These sites fall in to four subgroups characteristic of their locations, local situation o r industrial activities. Group B consists of 6 rural or urban sites, a nd group C includes 4 inland sites. The land-sea breeze pattern seems to be a major influence of the spatial patterns observed for group A, and is less significant for groups B and C. Emissions from coal-burnin g power stations were identified as significant sources of the high su lfur episodes observed for group B and C sites. Both the coal-burning power stations and coastal industrial emissions play a role in definin g the spatial pattern of fine particle sulfur in the region. For fine particle lead four groups of sites were identified consisting of 8, 3, 3 and 3 sites, respectively. They were defined by the prevailing wind directions, and configuration of receptor sites to the source areas.