Chemical elements and their source apportionment of PM(10) in Beijing urban atmosphere.

Monitoring of Beijing PM(10) was undertaken, data collected in a period of one year showed seasonal variation of the mass level of Beijing PM(10) being highest in winter and spring, lower in summer and lowest in autumn. PIXE was used to investigate the chemical elements in PM(10). Results showed the chemical concentration also varied seasonally. Percentage of the masses of the crustal elements such as Al, Si, Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Mn and Ti, reached highest in spring and S, Cl, Pb, As, Cu, Ni and Zn which originated from anthropogenic sources reached highest in winter. The monitoring data showed gradual increase of the abundance of the elements from spring to winter in Beijing air and especially strong correlation of Si, Ca, Al, Fe, Mg and Ti from the factor analysis indicating these elements coming from the earth crust or soil, S, Zn and Pb probably from industrial pollution and Cl and As from combustion.