Air particulate samples collected during 1995-96 at a background site situa
ted on the east coast of Thar Desert in Rajsthan State of India were analys
ed for atmospheric dust loads (Suspended Particulate Matter) and elemental
composition. The values of SPM ranged from 9 mug M-3 to 97 mug M-3 with an
average of 43 mug M-3 except a few episodic values, which were 3 to 5 times
higher than the average during summer months. The results for elemental co
mposition of the particulate samples showed that the concentrations of anth
ropogenic toxic trace elements viz. Br, Cr, Pb, Sb, Se and Zn are lower by
a factor of 2 to 10 as compared to urban areas. The high enrichment factors
for anthropogenic elements viz. Br, Pb, Sb and Zn show an input from coal/
wood fuel burning and vehicular pollution at the sampling site. The depleti
on of Si in SPM samples shows long distance transport of dust to the sampli
ng site.