Seasonal variations of the source of aerosol particles by using 7Be, 210Pb and some elements

Atmospheric aerosol is important component in considering the effect on human beings, climates and the reaction processes in atmosphere. Therefore, many researchers are interested in its movement in atmosphere. The purpose of this work is to consider the seasonal variations of the source of aerosol particles by the principal component analysis from the variations of element concentrations in the aerosol particles. The samples were collected by a container routinely every month at Fukuoka city (the rooftop of Radioisotope Center, Kyushu University) from Jan. 1995 to Oct. 2005. The concentrations were determined by γ-ray spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. As a result of the principal component analysis, we found that there were three principal components (PC1-3: in their order of contribution). PC1 is a component where it is related to the suspended dust from adjacent area. As to PC2, it is related to the dust from the Asian continent which was translated by the wind of north-west, including the influence of the Sea of Japan. PC3 is the past where it is related to the sea salt of the suburban sea. (author)