PIXE measurements of particulate concentrations in atmosphere near a steel smelter in Genova (Italy)

Aerosol streaker samplers are presently used in air sampling campaigns in the town of Genova, Italy. They allow the extraction, on an hourly basis, of particulate concentrations and constitute therefore a useful tool for studying highly polluted and complex urban areas. We are using this kind of sampler to monitor, for a long period, the particulate emissions from a big steel smelter located inside the urban area. The filters obtained with the sampler are analysed by Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) deducing pollutants concentrations for elements from Na to Pb. PIXE is a reliable and fast technique to get multi-elemental concentrations with enough sensitivity, from a very large number of samples. We present here the preliminary results of the first sampling period beginning from May 1997. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.