Composition, components and sources of fine aerosol fractions using multielemental EDXRF analysis

The extensive characterization of the elemental composition of some important components and of major sources of particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5, sampled in parallel three times per week in Milan, for the whole year 2001 is described. More than 250 PM samples were analysed and major, minor and trace element concentrations were obtained by EDXRF. A strong seasonal modulation of particulate matter and element concentrations and an important contribution to PM from secondary compounds originating from gaseous precursors were observed. The main sources and their contribution were obtained by the application of absolute principal factor analysis to the large data set of elemental concentration. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.