Elemental concentrations and particle size distributions in an atmospheric background aerosol

Abstract The concentrations and particle size variations of typically 12–15 elements from sulphur and upwards were measured at the rural site Velen, between lakes Vanern and Vattern in southern Sweden, in 44 impactor-samples taken from December 1975 until May 1976. Analysis was made by particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The average concentrations were close to those observed in northern Canada. Air-mass trajectory analysis suggests that the concentrations were strongly dependent on the recent history of the air mass. Very low concentrations in some samples suggests the influx of old atlantic air, in contrast to higher concentrations obtained in air originating from heavily-industrialized parts of Europe.