Analysis of arctic aerosols in the SAGA project by means of proton induced X ray emission and instrumental neutron activation analysis

Since August 1990, air filter samples from Station Nord in Greenland have been collected on a weekly basis and analysed for 15-20 elements by proton induced X ray emission (PIXE) analysis. Results indicate that during the winter there is a high fraction of anthropogenic pollution and a very low contribution from sea spray. Samples from the beginning of 1991 were also analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), partly to check the calibrations for a number of common elements determined, and also to improve the description of sources contributing to Arctic aerosols by determining about ten additional elements. For most of the elements common to both methods the agreement was very satisfactory in view of the low concentrations reported. Results from INAA were also found to correlate well with the factor scores obtained from factor analysis of the more numerous results from PIXE analysis. Supplementary analysis of air filter samples by both methods would therefore substantiate and improve the preliminary conclusions made from the PIXE results alone. (author). 6 refs, 4 figs, 4 tabs