Here are some general steps to follow for running positive matrix factorization (PMF) using the EPA-PMF software:
Prepare input data: You will need to provide input data files containing the measured concentrations of PM-bound heavy metals and other relevant parameters such as meteorological data, etc. The data should be in a specific format, which can be found in the EPA-PMF user manual.
Choose appropriate settings: You will need to choose appropriate settings for the PMF analysis, such as the number of factors to extract, the number of iterations, and the convergence criteria. The default settings in EPA-PMF may not always be appropriate, so it is important to carefully choose the settings based on your data and research question.
Run the PMF analysis: Once you have prepared the input data and chosen appropriate settings, you can run the PMF analysis using the EPA-PMF software. This will generate output files containing the factor profiles and contributions of each source to the measured concentrations.
Interpret the results: Finally, you will need to interpret the results of the PMF analysis to identify the sources of PM-bound heavy metals. This may involve comparing the factor profiles with known source profiles from the literature or using other methods to identify the sources.
It is important to note that PMF is a complex analysis method and requires careful consideration of the input data, settings, and interpretation of the results. It is recommended to consult the EPA-PMF user manual and other relevant literature for further guidance.