A contribution to the characterization of the aerosol sources in São Paulo

Abstract: Fine and coarse particles in suspension in the atmosphere were collected on two Teflon filters with a dichotomous sampler. The concentration of Al, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, K, La, Mn, Na, P, Pb,, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Th, V and Zn was determined by ED-XRF and INAA. The elemental concentration was analyzed by means of linear correlation coefficients, enrichment factors and principal factors analysis in order to identify the aerosol sources. The main sources of the aerosol particles were the marine ones, resuspended soil, fuel-oil combustion, phosphatic rocks, refuse incineration and residual high-temperature processes.