title: Regional and long-range transport of aerosols at Mt. Aitana, Southeastern Spain.
abstract: More than 150 particulate matter (PM) samples with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 1 and 10μm (PM1and PM10, respectively) were collected during an 18-month sampling campaign at Mt. Aitana (1558m a.s.l.), located in the western Mediterranean basin. PM samples were analyzed for water-soluble ions, carbonaceous species and trace metals using standard procedures. Average mass concentrations of PM1and PM10were, respectively, 5.0 and 13.3μgm-3. PM1was composed mostly of organic carbon and ammonium sulfate, while nitrate and crustal elements were major components of the PM10fraction. A significant positive correlation was determined between PM10and mineral elements such as Ca or Fe. The study of the influence of air mass origin upon PM mass concentrations and composition showed that Saharan dust outbreaks were associated with the highest PM10levels (24.9μgm-3average during African events). Nitrate and crustal components were also considerably increased during these episodes, especially Ti and Fe (~190% higher compared with the average value for the whole study period). The results indicate that Ca/Ti and Ca/Fe ratios can be considered reliable indicators of Saharan dust intrusions.
authors.affiliation: Atmospheric Pollution Laboratory (LCA), Department of Applied Physics, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida de la Universidad S/N, 03202 Elche, Spain. Electronic address: ngalindo@umh.es.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Galindo
authors.affiliation: Atmospheric Pollution Laboratory (LCA), Department of Applied Physics, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida de la Universidad S/N, 03202 Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yubero
authors.affiliation: Atmospheric Pollution Laboratory (LCA), Department of Applied Physics, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida de la Universidad S/N, 03202 Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nicolás
authors.affiliation: Atmospheric Pollution Laboratory (LCA), Department of Applied Physics, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida de la Universidad S/N, 03202 Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crespo
authors.affiliation: Atmospheric Pollution Laboratory (LCA), Department of Applied Physics, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida de la Universidad S/N, 03202 Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Montse
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varea
authors.affiliation: Atmospheric Pollution Laboratory (LCA), Department of Applied Physics, Miguel Hernández University, Avenida de la Universidad S/N, 03202 Elche, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gil-Moltó
keywords: Chemical composition; High mountain; PM(1); PM(10); Western Mediterranean