Atmospheric trace metal deposition from natural and anthropogenic sources in western Australia

Studies of the sources and fluxes of atmospheric trace metals in the southwest corner of Australia have been limited, although aerosol trace metal emissions transported off-shore may provide vital micronutrients to the surrounding waters. The atmospheric concentrations and fluxes of total and labile (leachable plus soluble) forms of iron (Fe), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) were determined, following a multi-step leaching protocol. Their sources were investigated using marker analysis and a Positive Matrix Factorisation method. Aerosols were mostly of natural sources and contained a smaller proportion of labile Fe than aerosols sampled on the eastern coastline of Australia.  

Reference: Strzelec, M., et al. (2020), Atmospheric Trace Metal Deposition from Natural and Anthropogenic Sources in Western Australia, Atmosphere,11, 474. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11050474

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