Elemental content of PM_2.5 aerosol particles collected in Göteborg during the Göte-2005 campaign in February 2005

Abstract

The Göte–2005 measurement campaign aimed at studying the influence of the winter thermal inversions on urban air pollution. Elemental speciation of PM2.5 aerosol particles, collected on Teflon filters at three urban sites and one rural site in the Göteborg region, was a major part of the study. Trace element analysis was done by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry and the concentrations of S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br and Pb were determined. The elemental content of the particles, local wind speed and direction, and backward trajectories were used to investigate possible sources for the pollutants. We concluded that S, V, Ni, Br, and Pb had their main sources outside the central Göteborg area, since elevated concentrations of these elements were not observed during an inversion episode. Sea traffic and harbour activities were identified, primarily by the S and V content of the particles. This study showed that the elemental analysis by EDXRF presents valuable information for tracing the origin of air masses arriving at a measurement site.