Chemical characterization of aerosol collected at Mt. Yulong in wintertime on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau

In order to evaluate the chemical composition of aerosol on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, aerosol samples were acquired at Mt. Yulong during January to February, 2010. Eighteen elements (Al, Si, P, S, Ca, Ti, K, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, As, Br, Ba, Pb, Sb and Cu) and major water-soluble ions (SO42 −, NO3−, Cl−, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2 +, and Ca2 +) were detected. The results show that Ca, Fe, Al, Si, S, K and Ti are major elements which mainly originate from crustal material, while SO42 − and Ca2 + are the dominant anion and cation in the samples, respectively. Results of ion analysis indicate that our samples are alkaline and that the main compounds present are CaCO3, (NH4)2SO4, and CaSO4. The enrichment factors (EFs) determined for As, Br, Ca, Cu, S, Pb and Zn are greater than 10; in particular, EFs for As and Br are above 100. However, the high EF for As could be caused by crustal sources because the high level of As enrichment can be found commonly on the Tibetan Plateau. Analyses including Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observations, EF determinations, backward trajectories and correlation coefficients reveal that Al, Fe, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, K and Mg2 + mainly originate from crustal sources; Pb, Br, Cu, Ni, Zn and Sb come mainly from traffic-related emissions; and biomass burning influences Cl−, Br, S and P.

► Crustal material dominant elemental concentration; SO42 − and Ca2 + are main ions. ► The main compounds present are CaCO3, (NH4)2SO4, and CaSO4. ► The high EF for As could be caused by crustal sources. ► Species mainly from crustal sources, traffic sources and biomass burning.