Elemental composition and sources of air pollution in the city of Chandigarh, India, using EDXRF and PIXE techniques

The aerosol samples collected from industrial, commercial and relatively cl eaner zones from the city of Chandigarh, India. have been characterized usi ng EDXRF and PIXE techniques. Sample collection was done over different tim e periods during 1994-1996 using the Millipore sampling kit. Sixteen elemen ts! namely, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni. Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, and Pb , were quantified in these samples. The loading distribution of aerosol on the filter media was assessed by scanning the sample along its diameter usi ng proton beam. The elemental concentrations in all the samples analyzed by both the techniques hale been corrected for this distribution. The element al concentrations measured at different sites were used in absolute princip le component analysis in order to identify the major sources affecting thes e sites and to apportion the measured air pollutants to these sources. Plau sible sources identified from this analysis are soil dust. industrial activ ity, vehicular traffic and refuse burning. The soil dust accounts for the m ajor fraction of the measured mass. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.