Elemental composition of PM2.5 and PM10 at Mount Gongga in China during 2006

In order to investigate the chemical characteristics of atmospheric aerosols in a regional background site, PM2.5 and PM10 were collected at Mount Gongga Station once a week in 2006. The concentrations of fifteen elements including Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, V, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Ba, Tl, and Pb were detected by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results showed that Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Fe were the major components of elements detected in PM2.5 and PM10, occupied 89.5% and 91.3% of all the elements. Crustal enrichment factor (EF) calculation indicated that several anthropogenic heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Tl, Pb) were transported long distances atmospherically. The concentrations of all elements (except Na) measured in PM2.5 and PM10 in spring and winter were higher than those in summer and autumn. The backward air mass trajectory analysis suggests that northeast India may be the source region of those pollutants.