Trace Metal Composition and Grain-Size of Particulates in Aerosols and Precipitation Collected in N.W. Mediterranean (39° N, 9° E): A Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

The chemical characteristics and the grain-size patterns of the mineral fraction in Sardinian aerosols and precipitation were highlighted by means of Q-mode Factor Analysis on major elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Si) and trace metal data (Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn). Three factors explained more than 95% of the variability: 1 and 2 are background aerosols from Mediterranean and Sardinian origin, the 3rd one is from Saharan origin.