In order to characterize the Siberian aerosol, more
than 120 samples for single-particle analysis have
been collected simultaneously at two sampling stations
in central Siberia in 1 month's time during February
and August 1992. For each sample, 400 particles
have been analyzed with automated electron probe
X-ray microanalysis. Hierarchical cluster analysis
allowed us to identify nine major particle types. The
differences in aerosol composition were found to
be bigger between the winter and summer campaigns
than between the two sampling locations. Nonhierarchical cluster analysis combined with 36-h backward
air mass trajectories permitted us to compare the
abundances for the major particle types for four different
source sectors. Results showed significant, though
not enormous, differences. Source identification by
principal factor analysis allowed the identification
of several sources for the Siberian aerosol. Our
results
provide ample evidence for a long-suspected
contribution to Arctic pollution by industrial complexes
in the former Soviet Union.
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