Characteristics of trace elements in aerosols collected in Northern Tunisia

Abstract In order to investigate the chemical characteristics of atmospheric aerosols, the sources and variability of atmospheric inputs, aerosols samples were collected during April 2006 and June 2007 in the coastal area of Boumhel, Tunisia. The samples were analysed for thirteen elements including Ca, Fe, Al, Si, Ti, Mg, Mn, K, Na, Cl, S, Zn and Pb using a wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. All elements measured in the aerosols of Boumhel revealed differences between the two seasons: the concentrations of all elements were the highest in June and the lowest in April due to the importance of meteorological conditions. The cascade impactor provided mass distributions indicate that Al, Fe, Si, Ti, Na, Cl and S are concentrated in coarse particles. The enrichment factors (EFs) of all elements indicate that Al, Fe, Si, Ca and Ti are mainly derived from soil sources. Na, S and Cl are mostly due to sea salts.