Sources and composition of aerosol from Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

Aerosol sampling was carried out during December 1989 in Khartoum, Sudan, using Nuclepore membrane filters. Twenty-four aerosol samples were collected and analysed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry and particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). In addition, individual particle analysis was also performed on 19 samples using electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA). Good agreement between XRF and PIXE results was obtained for most of the elements. Enrichment factor calculations indicated that soil dispersion is the dominant source for most elements in the aerosol. However, certain elements showed high enrichment factors indicating the presence of anthropogenic sources. From a comparison with available literature data it appeared that the enrichment factors for the enriched elements in the Khartoum aerosol are among the lowest recorded values for urban aerosol. Absolute principal components analysis (APCA) was performed on the data and confirmed the findings from the enrichment factor calculations, i.e. a dominant soil dispersion source and an anthropogenic source for some of the elements. Because of the very limited number of impotant aerosol sources, the data set was reporduced by the APCA model with a reasonable degree of success. Single particle analysis also showed that most of the particles were soil dust. These particles could further be differentiated into alumino-silicates, quartz and CaCO₃ particles. Some of the particles were found to originate from combustion sources. EPXMA gave clues to the process of formation for some of the particles from combustion sources.