Distribution and seasonal variability of trace elements in atmospheric particulate in the Venice Lagoon

Abstract

Size distribution and selected element concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) were investigated in the Venice Lagoon, at three sites characterised by different anthropogenic influence. The PM 10 samples were collected in six size fractions (10–7.2, 7.2–3.0, 3.0–1.5, 1.5–0.95; 0.95–0.49 and <0.49 μm) with high volume cascade impactors, and the concentration of 17 elements (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn) was determined by inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectroscopy. More than 1 year of sampling activities allowed the examination of seasonal variability in size distribution of atmospheric particulates and element contents for each site. At all the stations, particles with an aerodynamic diameter <3 μm were predominant, thus accounting for more than 78% of the total aerosol mass concentration. The highest PM 10 concentrations for almost all elements were found at the site which is more influenced by industrial and urban emissions. Similarity in size distribution of elements at all sites allowed the identification of three main behavioural types: (a) elements found mainly within coarse particles (Ca, Mg, Na, Sr); (b) elements found mainly within fine particles (As, Cd, Ni, Pb, V) and (c) elements with several modes spread throughout the entire size range (Co, Cu, Fe, K, Zn, Mn). Factor Analysis was performed on aerosol data separately identified as fine and coarse types in order to examine the relationships between the inorganic elements and to identify their origin. Multivariate statistical analysis and assessment of similarity in the size distribution led to similar conclusions on the sources.