Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF)

The BioCAN data will be statistically analyzed to determine the bioaerosol component of total P and OP (by excluding other OP major sources like biomass burning) and can be linked to the bioaerosol fluxes in the region. Observations will cover both the West and East Mediterranean. Source apportionment analysis will be first performed on the extensive observational dataset from Finokalia, a representative background site for the East Mediterranean, and then this will be extended to its closest large urban city, Heraklion and the other locations in the Mediterranean.

Using a PMF multivariate receptor model to which the measured concentrations and the uncertainty in the measurement of each species are input files, the potential sources and source factors that are correlated with P and its organic fraction (as well as with OC) will be identified. Thus, the fraction of P (of OP and of OC) and their mean concentrations in aerosols attributed to bioaerosols will be estimated.