Characterisation of particulate matter in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp, Belgium

Aerosol samples were collected during two campaigns in February and July 1999 both inside and outside the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten (KMSK, Royal Museum of Fine Arts) in Antwerp. Bulk aerosol concentrations, as well as the composition of the individual particles, were determined. The influence of the outdoor aerosol was clearly visible. In winter, restoration and construction works constituted an additional indoor source of Ca-rich and Ca–Si particles. Along with sea salt, these were the main particle types identified in this season. In summer, S-rich particles were most frequent. The summer abundances of Ca-rich particles remained low, even though the museum is situated in a limestone building. Moreover, dry deposition samples were collected in order to determine what amount of particles could actually be deposited onto the works of art.