European guide on air pollution source apportionment with receptor models

This report contains a guide and a European harmonised protocol prepared within the framework of the JRC initiative for the harmonisation of source apportionment with receptor models. This initiative was launched in collaboration with the European networks in the field of air quality modelling (FAIRMODE) and measurements (AQUILA). The initiative also includes a review of the methodologies used in Europe for source identification and intercomparison exercises for the quantitative assessment of the performance of source apportionment models. The document, drafted by a group of international experts, is organised following the logical sequence of steps to be carried out in a source apportionment study. Sections with increasing levels of complexity make it accessible to readers with different degrees of familiarity with this topic, from air quality managers to air pollution experts and modellers.