Wood burning pollution in Chile: A tale of two mid-size cities

Abstract

Cities in southern Chile are facing high levels of PM2.5 because of wood burning pollution. We quantify thecontribution of wood smoke to fine particles in two mid-size cities: Molina and Valdivia, located in differentclimate zones. The sampling campaigns were carried out during austral winter (July to September) in 2018(Molina) and 2019 (Valdivia). 24-h filter samples were analyzed for carbonaceous compounds, secondary ions,metals, and particle-phase organic molecular markers. Average winter concentrations of PM2.5 were 53 ± 32 ?g/m3 (average ± standard deviation) in Molina and 89 ± 55 ?g/m3 in Valdivia. The major component of fineparticles was organic matter, representing more than 70% of PM2.5. Concentrations of organic molecular markerswere used in a receptor model (US EPA CMB8.2) to identify and quantify primary sources of PM2.5. The majorsource of PM2.5 was wood smoke, which accounted for 41.55 ± 9.77 ?g/m3 (62.9 ± 15.3%) in Molina and 43.65± 24.06 ?g/m3 (51.7 ± 21.1%) in Valdivia. Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) generated from inefficient woodburning, contributed 20.4 ± 17.7% in Molina and 28.9 ± 27.6% in Valdivia. Secondary inorganic ions and dustare minor sources of PM2.5. The total contribution of wood smoke (adding primary wood smoke and SOA) couldbe as much as 83% in Molina and 81% in Valdivia, during the winter season.