Investigations of aerosols from Swietochlowice, Pszczyna and Kielce by XPSmethod

Particles of an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 mum (PM-2.5) and less th an 10 mum (PM-10) were collected at the same time using Harvard impactors i n Swietochlowice, Kielce and Pszczyna. The concentrations of: C, O, N, Fe, F, Si, S, Na, Zn, I, Cu, Cl, Al, Ca, Mg, Pb and Mn were determined by use t he XPS method. The atomic concentrations of these elements in the fine and coarse aerosol particles collected in studied sites were significantly diff erent. For example, in Swietochlowice and Pszczyna ratios of PM-2.5/PM-10 s ilicon were less than 0.4 while in Kielce this ratio was equal to 0.9. On t he other hand, the PM-2.5/PM-10 sulphur ratio was the highest in Swietochlo wice (1.13) while in Pszczyna and Kielce was 0.85 and 0.98 respectively. in dicating the special great role of coal burning in the process of the aeros ol nucleation and growth in central parts of Upper Silesia. The obtained re sults show that the analyzed aerosols are of different origin. (C) 2001 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.