Some ideas about the sources of PM10

In Berlin, about 50% of the urban background PM10 concentration is due to long range transport—mainly secondary aerosols (ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate) and natural sources. At kerbside sites on main streets the PM10-concentration is up to 40% higher than the urban background. Half of this additional pollution is due to motor vehicle exhaust emission and tyre abrasion and the other half is due to resuspended soil particles. On the basis of comparison of the main chemical components at stations in the regional and urban background and a station at the kerbside of a busy street, we estimate the source apportionment for the main source groups. Possible reduction measures are discussed.