Aerosol and bulk deposition trends in the 1990ʹs, Eastern Erzgebirge, Central Europe

Atmospheric aerosols were collected in the Eastern Erzgebirge, Germany, and a multi-element survey was carried out by PIXE, INAA, and GF-AAS for samples from 1992–1994 and 1996–1997 (Al, As, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, I, In, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Zn). For comparison, new bulk deposition data for open field and canopy throughfall stations are presented from the same area (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Cl−, Co, Cr, Cu, F−, Fe, Ga, Ge, I, In, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, NO3−, Na, Ni, Pb, PO42−, Rb, SO42−, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, Y, Zn, Zr). The most prominent result is that emission control in Central Europe is taking effect. The concentrations of many anthropogenic constituents in both bulk deposition and in aerosols today have declined considerably. In the formerly highly polluted Eastern Erzgebirge, deposition can now be addressed as comparable to rural areas without major local or regional influences.