Partitioning of particulate matter and elements of suburban continental aerosols between fine and coarse modes

The results presented in this work demonstrate for the first time a distribution of elements in the spectral analysis of aerosols in the suburban continental Balkan Peninsula. Samples were collected in the suburban area of Belgrade (Serbia) in the period from March 2012 till December 2013. Results presented here are from long-term measurements of masses of size-segregated aerosols and macro- and microelements in the range of PM0.27–16. The following elements were analyzed: Al, Ag, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn; levels of Be, Hg, and Se were under the detection limits in all samples. Average concentrations and time and seasonal variations of particulate matter (PM) as well as element contents and their percentage shares are given. The results showed the domination of particle content around the accumulation mode in the range of 0.53 < Dp < 1.06 μm, but the fractional distribution of elements showed maximal average concentrations in different fractions depending on the origin of each element. Crustal elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ti, etc.) dominated in coarse mode, while anthropogenic elements (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, etc.) were mainly distributed in fine mode fractions. Some elements, such are As and Ni, were detected in investigated aerosols only occasionally, while others, such as Ca, Fe, and Mg, were detected in all analyzed samples. The application of multivariate analysis (PCA) demonstrated the connection between the elements of similar origin, in fine fractions mainly of anthropogenic origin, while in coarse mode of crustal origin, indicating the resuspension with contribution of about 40%. The contents of some measured elements were compared with their contents in aerosols in some European suburban areas.