Source-Receptor Modeling Using Trace Metals in Aerosols Collected at Three Rural Canadian Great Lakes Sampling Stations

Abstract

High-volume air samplers were used to collect aerosol samples on Whatman 41 air filters at the Canadian air sampling stations Burnt Island, Egbert, and Point Petre. The samples were analyzed for trace elements by neutron activation analysis. Air concentrations of over 30 trace elements were determined. Factor analysis, elemental ratios, and enrichment factor analysis were used to determine source-receptor relationships at the three different sites. Factor analysis exhibited trends that indicate oil and coal combustion, road salt, mining, incineration, and smelting as anthropogenic sources to aerosols of the rural Great Lakes. Elemental ratios showed that the Na to Cl ratio in the Great Lakes aerosol is similar to that found in sea water. Enrichment factor analysis revealed elements with non-crustal sources including the elements Ag, As, Br, Cl, Cu, I, In, Sb, Se, Sn, W, and Zn.