EventsThe 8th International Electronic Conference on Atmospheric Sciences
Event submissions
Published
This submission belongs to the session S1. Air Quality and Human Health of the event The 8th International Electronic Conference on Atmospheric Sciences
Published date
09 Oct, 2026
Academic Editor
author-avatarQingqing He
Citation
Serena Potì, Laura Martina, Florin Unga, Daniela Cesari, Adelaide Dinoi, Antonio Pennetta, Ermelinda Bloise, Paola Semeraro, Giuseppe Deluca, Luca Cirillo Ciricugno, Livia Giotta, Maria Giulia Lionetto, Lucio Calcagnile, Annarosa Mangone, Maria Rachele Guascito, Daniele Contini, The role of natural and anthropogenic sources on toxicological properties of PM₂.₅, in Proceedings of The 8th International Electronic Conference on Atmospheric Sciences, 14 October–16 October 2026, MDPI: Basel, Switzerland
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The role of natural and anthropogenic sources on toxicological properties of PM2.5

Serena Potì 1,2
Laura Martina 3
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Florin Unga 1
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Daniela Cesari 1
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Adelaide Dinoi 1
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Antonio Pennetta 1
Ermelinda Bloise 1
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Paola Semeraro 1
Giuseppe Deluca 1
Luca Cirillo Ciricugno 1
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Livia Giotta 3
Maria Giulia Lionetto 3
Lucio Calcagnile 4
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Annarosa Mangone 5
Maria Rachele Guascito 1,3
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Daniele Contini 1
1. Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate—ISAC-CNR, 73100 Lecce, Italy
2. Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
3. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
4. Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
5. Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Abstract

In recent years the oxidative potential (OP) emerged as a promising indicator of potential health effects of PM2.5 because it represents the ability of PM to carry or to catalyse reactive oxygen species (ROS) able to produce oxidative stress. Seasonal and spatial trends of natural and anthropogenic sources contributing to PM2.5 and its OP is investigated. The work is based on a dataset collected in 2024 simultaneously at an urban background and a traffic site, in south Italy during cold and warm seasons. A detailed dataset was obtained: elemental analysis (ED-XRF), total and soluble carbonaceous aerosol (OC/EC, WSOC), main ions, organic tracers, and water-soluble organic nitrogen (WSON). Oxidative potential (OP) was measured with ascorbic acid (OPAA) and dithiothreitol (OPDTT) assays. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF5) model resolved the contributions of ten distinct sources: vehicular exhaust, biomass burning, resuspension/construction, primary biogenic (fungal spores), nitrate, sulphate, sea spray, aged marine, secondary organic aerosol (SOA), and long-range dust transport. Vehicle emissions predominated for OPAA across both locations, whereas OPDTT was driven by a broader combination of factors, notably traffic, SOA, biomass burning, and dust resuspension. Distinct patterns were observed; OPDTT levels peaked in winter while OPAA in summer. Traffic contributes for 17-30% to OPDTT (25-37% to OPAA) significantly more than the contributions PM2.5 (14-20%). An opposite trend is observed for sulphate contributing for 9-11% to OPDTT and 12-13% to OPAA compared to contributions of 22% to PM2.5 mass at both sites. Secondary aerosols contribute to OPDTTV (26-38%) and to OPAAV (19-21%). These findings suggest implementing seasonally tailored strategies to minimise PM2.5-associated health risks like targeting biomass burning during cold period (22-33% of OPDTT and 15-27% of OPAA) and local soil resuspension during the warm period (19-31% of OPDTT).

Keywords
source apportionment
oxidative potential
acellular assays
DTT
AA
PM2.5 water soluble fraction
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