2003 Volume 13 Issue 3 Pages 643-651
In order to estimate the origin of the atmospheric particulate matter, the elemental concentrations in rain water, suspended solid in rain and dust in flue gas emitted from coal burning boilers were determined during the period 1982-2001 in Ehime Prefecture. Results obtained in this study revealed several regional characteristics of elemental concentrations. The results obtained were as follows: (1) For elevation of As, Ni, Cr, Be, Pb, Zn and V concentrations in atmospheric particulate matter, contribution of the dust in flue gas emitted from coal burning boilers was bigger than that of soil. For elevation of Mn, Fe, Ca and Mn concentrations, contribution of soil was bigger than that of dust. (2) In Niihama City, the higher concentrations of As in particulate matter might be mainly due to the anthropogenic pollution sources. (3) The maximum concentration of As in rain was 8.1μg/l in Matsuyama City and maximum deposition of As was 155μg/m2/week in Niihama City. In Matsuyama City and Yawatahama City, positive correlation was found between As concentration and As deposition in rain. In Niihama City, positive correlation was found between As concentration and As deposition, suggesting the possibility of atmospheric transportation of As. (4) About 96 % of total As in rain was dissolved As and the remained As was estimated that it might generate from soil. (5) Application of principal component analysis on the analytical results of elemental concentrations in particulate matter during the period 1982-1998 suggested that the elemental concentrations at Niihama City and Matsuyama City were higher than other three cities (Kawanoe City, Saijo City and Toyo City) in Ehime Prefecture, suggesting the contribution of the anthropogenic sources.
