Study of the aerosol composition in the town of La Spezia with continuous sampling and PIXE analysis

An aerosol sampling campaign has been carried out in the town of La Spezia, Italy, from 10th to 31th March 1999, using two-stage continuous streaker s amplers that provide, in conjunction with proper IBA techniques, a hourly r esolution of aerosol concentration and the separation of the particulate ma tter in two fractions. Particulate analysis was performed by PIXE at the IN FN Van de Graaff accelerator of the University of Florence extracting hourl y concentrations for elements from Na to Pb, The total particulate concentr ation in the two fractions has been determined as well by an optical analys is of the deposition. The statistical analysis of the concentration time se ries obtained by PIXE and by optical scanning of the streaker frames is pre sented. The contribution of some pollution source to the local aerosol comp osition is also discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.