Long-term atmospheric aerosol study at urban and rural sites in Belgium using multi-elemental analysis by particle-induced x-ray emission spectrometry and short-irradiation instrumental neutron activation analysis

Abstract

The Ghent PM10 stacked filter unit (SFU) sampler was used to collect size-fractionated atmospheric aerosol samples, first at an urban residential site in Ghent, Belgium, and subsequently at a rural site (Waasmunster, about half way between the cities of Ghent and Antwerp). The samplings at Ghent took place in 1993–94 (over a 14 month period) and a total of 118 daily SFU samples were collected. At Waasmunster, 142 daily SFU samples were taken in 1994–95 (over a 16 month period). All samples were analyzed for the particulate mass, black carbon, and up to 29 elements. The elements were measured by particle-induced x-ray emission spectrometry (PIXE) and short-irradiation instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The data for common elements measured by both techniques were compared. This permitted an assessment of the magnitude of the particle size effect for the lighter elements in PIXE. The data sets were subjected to receptor modeling with absolute principal component analysis, and relationships between the intensities of the components (i.e. the component scores) and various meteorological variables were examined. The anthropogenic and crustal components were consistently negatively correlated with wind speed. Overall, the aerosol concentrations, compositions, sources and source contributions to the particulate mass were remarkably similar for the urban and rural sites. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.