Sources and Elemental Composition of Ambient PM sub(2.5) in Three European Cities

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 337; no. 1; p. 147
• Main Authors: Vallius, M, Janssen, NAH, Heinrich, J, Hoek, G, Ruuskanen, J, Cyrys, J, Van Grieken, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 20.01.2005
• Subjects: ANE, Finland, Etelae-Suomi, Helsinki; Germany, Erfurt; Netherlands, Noord-Holland, Amsterdam; Finland, Helsinki; ANE, Netherlands, Noord-Holland, Amsterdam; Germany; Europe, Central; Germany, Thuringia, Erfurt
• ISSN: 0048-9697
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.06.018

Ambient PM sub(2.5) samples were collected in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Erfurt, Germany; and Helsinki, Finland, during the winter of 1998 99, and the elemental composition was compared. The elemental composition and air-pollution data were analyzed using principal component analysis to identify the main source categories. Statistically significant differences in the concentrations of all elements except iron were found among the three cities. Chlorine concentrations were highest in Amsterdam, while median values of calcium and zinc were highest in Erfurt. Six source categories were identified in Amsterdam, while four principal components were extracted for Erfurt, and five major source categories were identified in Helsinki. Secondary particles and local combustion contributed 65% to the average PM sub(2.5) in Amsterdam and Erfurt and 73% to the average in Helsinki. All relevant concentration data are tabulated.