Trace elements in daily collected aerosols in Al-Hashimya, central Jordan

Coarse (>2.2 μm) and fine (<2.2 μm) atmospheric particulate material samples were collected from an urban area (Al-Hashimya, Jordan), from August 2000 to August 2001 using a “GENT” stack filter unit (SFU). Collected samples were analyzed for 19 elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The crustal elements exhibit atmospheric concentrations that are comparable to those in urban and industrial areas. The anthropogenic elements, on the other hand, are clearly less abundant in Al-Hashimya than in other industrial regions. Results indicated that, elements of crustal origin are associated with the coarse particles, while elements of anthropogenic origins are more associated with fine particles. Concentrations of crustal-derived elements were higher in summer and those of anthropogenic elements were higher in winter. Crustal enrichment factor calculations showed that concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Sb and Ag are highly enriched and of As, Cu, Co, Ca and Ni are moderately enriched. Factor analysis calculations permitted the identification of four source groups for the fine fraction, namely oil combustion, crustal and urban dust, smelting industries and motor vehicles.