Aerosol characterization and peculiarities of source apportionment in Moscow, the largest and northernmost European megacity.

High population and a wide range of activities in a megacity lead to large-scale ecological consequences which require the assessment with respect to distinct characteristics of climate, location, fuel consumption, and emission sources. In-depth study of aerosol characteristics was carried out in Moscow, the largest megacity in Europe, during the cold period (autumn and winter) and in spring. PM chemical speciation based on carbonaceous matter, water-soluble ions, and elements was carried out to reconstruct the PM mass and evaluate the primary and secondary aerosol contribution.