Fractionation of elements by particle size and chemical bonding from aerosols followed by ETAAS determination

A simple sequential leaching procedure was applied to the determination of the distribution of elements in atmospheric aerosols collected on membrane filters in different particle size ranges. The three-stage sequential leach ing procedure divides the elements into environmentally mobile, bound to ca rbonates and oxides, and bound to silicates and organic matter (environment ally immobile) fractions. Three particle size fractions were collected: fin e, d < 1 <mu>m; coarse, d = 1-10 mum; and pre-filter, >10 mum on membrane f ilters. The sampling site was set up in K-puszta, a Hungarian meteorologica l background station. The campaign involved the collection of samples every two days weekly for 13 consecutive months. Concentrations of ten elements were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). D ry deposition rates and enrichment factors (EF) were calculated for fine an d coarse fractions, as well as the mobile portion of the chemical bonding o f the elements. This approach opens a new dimension to understanding the dr y deposition of aerosols containing toxic heavy metals. Results were compar ed with earlier findings from a sampling campaign at K-puszta and other stu dies at different sampling sites and conditions. Generally, it can be concl uded that the pollution load characterizes well the background station and that aerosols are transported from long-range and originate from both anthr opogenic and natural sources.