PIXE analysis of inorganic elements in atmospheric aerosols at Guangzhou

Atmospheric aerosol samples were collected with eight-stage cascade impactors at five typical sites in Guangzhou. The samples were analyzed by the proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. The mass concentrations and their size distributions for near 20 elements were obtained. Enrichment factors for coarse and fine modes of the elements were calculated. The sources of the elements and characteristics of atmospheric aerosols at Guangzhou were discussed; the results of mass concentrations for 15 elements in atmospheric aerosols were also compared with those in some other cities in China. (author)