A brief introduction and progress summary of the PM2.5 source profile compilation project in China

This paper presents the background, the purpose, an outline of the studies, and the research progress to date for the PM2.5 source profiles compilation project, which has been supported as a key program of basic work of the Ministry of Science and Technology, China. Coal combustion (residential and industrial coal), industrial emissions, biomass burning, motor vehicle exhaust (liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, and diesel powered vehicles), as well as open sources (dust and cooking) were investigated for the project, because they are the major PM2.5-emission sources. Here, we (1) summarize the sampling processes and analytical methods for the main chemical constituents (elements, carbonaceous species, water-soluble inorganic ions, and organic compounds), (2) review research progress with reference to the major source characterization efforts and construction of a profile database, and (3) discuss ongoing and future research plans.