X-Ray Fluorescence

Air-transported particles and aerosols in Stuttgart-Hohenheim

Since 1972 in Stuttgart-Hohenheim airborne dust (particles smaller than 10 µm) is collected on membrane filters and analyzed by x-ray fluorescence (XRF).
Measured are the averaged daily concentrations for 18 elements: As, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, S, Se, Sr, Ti, V and Zn.
These long lasting time series show trends and allow to classify the actual pollution.
For 13 selected elements the averaged daily concentrations are shown als well as the averaged monthly concentrations.

Pb and Br

 


Main source: Vehicle with petrol engine 

Ca and Ti

Main source: land (typical)

 

Fe, Mn and Cr

Main source: land (areas far from industry, e.g. Hohenheim)

 

K and Cu

Main source: land (in Hohenheim)

 

Ni and Va

Main source: oil-combustion (for Va also land)

 

S and Zn

Main source: S (natural und anthropogenic)
Zn (combustion, e. g. wastecombustion)