Characterisation of Amazon Basin aerosols at the individual particle level by X-ray microanalytical techniques

As a part of the LBA/CLAIRE-98 project (LBA, Large-Scale Biosphere–Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia; CLAIRE, Cooperative LBA Regional Experiment), an extensive aerosol characterisation study was performed. The field work for the study took place in the Amazon Basin from 23 March to 15 April 1998. The collected aerosol samples were analysed by conventional and thin-window electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) combined with principal component analysis (PCA). Intensive transport of soil dust particles from the Sahara was observed at the end of March and beginning of April. The absolute number concentration of fine soil dust particles (0.30 μm