Atmospheric dust loads and their elemental composition at a background site in India.

Air particulate samples collected during 1995-96 at a background site situated on the east coast of Thar Desert in Rajsthan State of India were analysed for atmospheric dust loads (Suspended Particulate Matter) and elemental composition. The values of SPM ranged from 9 microg M(-3) to 97 microg M(-3) with an average of 43 microg M(-3) except a few episodic values, which were 3 to 5 times higher than the average during summer months. The results for elemental composition of the particulate samples showed that the concentrations of anthropogenic 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 depletion of Si in SPM samples shows long distance transport of dust to the sampling site.