연구분야 : 환경분석화학
행렬 분해 기법이 PCB 오염원 기여도 분석에 미치는 영향: EPA PMF와 NMF 비교 Effect of Matrix Factorization Methods on PCB Source Apportionment: A Comparison of EPA PMF and NMF
	Balasubramanian Prithiviraj1 · 이호영1 · 고민지1 · 주정태1 · 김영남2 · 홍성진2 · 최성득1,† 1울산과학기술원 지구환경도시건설공학과, 2충남대학교 해양환경과학과 †Correspondence E-mail: sdchoi@unist.ac.kr

The effect of matrix factorization methods on PCB source apportionment was examined using two independent PAS datasets (D1 and D2) from the multi-industrial city of Ulsan to assess reproducibility in relation to rotational ambiguity and user subjectivity. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) resolved the same number of factors for both datasets (D1: 26 congeners × 19 sites, 6 factors; D2: 34 congeners × 20 sites, 5 factors), indicating consistent resolution of source complexity. When PMF was applied to D1, the resolved source profiles corresponded to legacy Aroclor and Kanechlor technical mixtures and re-volatilization processes. In contrast, when applied to D2, which comprised samples collected primarily from industrial and harbor environments, PMF resolved combustion-related sources with clear factor separation. NMF identified similar source structures but showed greater sensitivity to overlapping congener patterns in the mixed urban-suburban dataset (D1), where improved separation of shared signatures was observed. These results are consistent with findings from previous receptor modeling studies, in which PMF has been widely applied for source apportionment when uncertainty information is available. NMF provides a complementary approach for identifying congener patterns, particularly in complex environments influenced by both legacy sources and combustion emissions. The choice of method influenced the resolution of overlapping signals, while the overall source structure remained consistent across both approaches.

Key words: PMF, NMF, PCB, Source apportionment.

Acknowledgement: 이 연구는 해양수산부의 지원을 받아 수행된 한국해양과학기술진흥원(KIMST)의 “해양환경 중 유해물질의 발생원 규명 및 기여도 평가 기술 개발”(KIMST-20220534), 교육부의 지원을 받아 한국연구재단(NRF)이 수행하는 기초연구사업(RS-2020-NR049578), 그리고 환경부의 “대기환경 모니터링 무인기 시스템 원스톱 플랫폼 기술 개발 사업”(RS-2025-02213907)의 지원으로 수행되었습니다.