Measuring metallic elements of total suspended particulates (TSPs), dry deposition flux, and dry deposition velocity for seasonal variation in central Taiwan

The purposes of this study were to investigate and characterize ambient air particulate concentrations and dry deposition fluxes and those metallic elements associated with them in central Taiwan during 2009–2010. At the Bei-Shi (suburban/coastal) sampling site, the average TSP concentrations, flux, and deposition velocity were 92.3 (μg m− 3), 165.92 (μg m− 2 min− 1), and 3 (cm s− 1), respectively. In addition, at the Quan-Xin (industrial) sampling site, the highest average TSP concentrations of As, ambient air particulate bound mercury (Hg(p)), Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb were 3.56, 0.07, 82.21, 2769.82, 109.33, 31.93, 109.76 and 39.15 ng m− 3, respectively. The highest average dry deposition flux of elements As, Hg(p), Mn, Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb were 2.36, 0.15, 18.11, 303.8, 35.59, 18.66, 45.47 and 42.6 (ng m− 2 min− 1), respectively in Quan-Xin (industrial). The median deposition velocity (Vd) of metallic elements was present at the five characteristic sampling sites, respectively. However, the median dry deposition velocity (Vd) of Hg(p) was 2.73–4.78 cm s− 1, higher than all other elements in the five characteristic sampling sites during 2009–2010. The median dry deposition velocity (Vd) of Fe was 0.17–0.27 cm s− 1, lower than all other elements in the five characteristic sampling sites during 2009–2010.