Geochemical characteristics of particulate matter in the atmosphere surrounding a ceramic industrialized area

Total suspended particulate samples (TSP) were collected and concentrations measured during seventeen months in the vicinity of a ceramic industrial area. A method of fractionating was applied to the samples in order to obtain two fractions corresponding to mineral particulate coming from dust emissions (Upper-F fraction) and to amorphous matter (carbon plus small amounts of S, Ca, Fe, etc) coming mainly from traffic and other combustion processes. Also for TSP samples several element concentrations were measured following two previous treatments: extraction of elements mainly associated with the soluble fraction of the samples (B, Fe, P, As, NO2−, NH4+, Cl−, F) and acid digestion for trace metals and elements mainly associated with the non-soluble fractions of the samples (Fe, As, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn Ca). Seasonal differences and the influence of meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, pressure and wind conditions) on the air pollution levels, particles as well as ions, were studied.