title: Spatial distribution and potential sources of trace elements in PM10 monitored in urban and rural sites of Piedmont Region.
abstract: The results on elemental composition of aerosol (PM10) sampled during 2011 in Piedmont region (Italy) are interpreted using meteorological data, Enrichment Factors (EF), chemometric processing by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Factor Analysis (FA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). Daily concentrations of about 30 elements were measured using HR-ICP-MS in five monitoring sites. A clear seasonal pattern, with higher concentrations in autumn and winter, was observed, particularly in the urban sites. Levels of As, Cd, Ni and Pb in most of the samples were within the limits imposed by the European legislation. Spatial differences in PM10 and metal concentrations were significant, with rural and urban sites showing different metal patterns, indicating different sources. K and Ca were used, respectively, as marker of biomass burning and industrial marker (cement plant); EFs showed that Ca was enriched just in one area and K was enriched only in the winter period considered and in some stations. Data analysis through PCA, FA and HCA allowed us to identify correlations among the investigated elements and similarities between sampling sites in order to individuate specific emission sources, such as non-exhaust vehicle emission.
authors.affiliation: Departimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, Università di Torino, Grugliasco I-10095, Italy.
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Padoan
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, Torino I-10125, Italy. Electronic address: mery.malandrino@unito.it.
authors.forename: Mery
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malandrino
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università di Torino, Torino I-10125 Italy.
authors.forename: Agnese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giacomino
authors.affiliation: Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell'Ambiente (ARPA Piemonte), Torino I-10135, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Grosa
authors.affiliation: Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell'Ambiente (ARPA Piemonte), Torino I-10135, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lollobrigida
authors.affiliation: Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell'Ambiente (ARPA Piemonte), Cuneo I-12100, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Torino, Torino I-10125, Italy.
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abollino
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007558:Italy; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012423:Rural Health; D012621:Seasons; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014504:Urban Health; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D052638:Particulate Matter; D014131:Trace Elements; D001335:Vehicle Emissions
keywords: Chemometric processing; Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; Piedmont; Spatial variability; Trace elements in PM(10)