Assessment and source apportionment of PM2.5 in a major Latin American port: elevated concentrations from traffic in the Great Atlantic Forest Reserve

Abstract

Ports are pivotal to the global economy but contribute significantly to environmental impacts, notably air pollution from local sources. Long-term exposure to atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) poses severe health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. This study investigates the source apportionment of PM_2.5 Paranaguá, a major Latin American port situated in a sensitive ecosystem and a marine protected area in the South Atlantic. In 2017, the mean PM_2.5 concentration at Paranaguá port was 15.3 ± 7.5 µg m^− 3, and 10% (n = 34) of the samples exceeding Brazil’s 24-hour environmental quality standard of (25 µg m^− 3). This level of PM_2.5 correlates with an 8% increase in the risk of general mortality risk in the port region. Four diagnostic tools were employed to estimate PM_2.5 sources from soluble ions, trace and major metal compositions, and black carbon (BC) fraction: (1) Polar plots using meteorological data; (2) Correlation analysis with daily ship and truck counts; (3) Enrichment factors; and (4) Positive matrix factorization (PMF). The results indicate that traffic is the predominant source of PM_2.5, primarily due to the extensive road transport of soy to the port. Given the anticipated continued dominance of road transport emissions, Brazil must implement measures to reduce traffic-related emissions. Aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.9, we recommend adopting environmentally responsible production models, such as agroecology and local productive systems to mitigate PM_2.5-related health risk.