LONG-RANGE ATMOSPHERIC TRANSPORT OF TRACE-ELEMENTS TO SOUTHERN NORWAY

Results from two investigations of air quality performed in 1978-1979 and 1985-1986 at Birkenes, southern Norway are presented. The elements Na, Al, Cl, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Ag, Cd, Sb, La and Pb were determined in daily filter samples and data for SO2 and aerosol sulfate were also collected. The levels in 1985-1986 were lower for most pollution-derived elements than in 1978-1979. This in particular concerned V, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sb and Pb, while Br and Sb showed less reduced concentration levels. Sector analysis showed that the main contributing source areas for airborne trace elements in southernmost Norway are southeast to southwest of Birkenes. Comparison of the contributions from different source areas in the two sampling periods indicates that emissions in western Europe had decreased more between the two periods than in eastern Europe. Factor analysis was performed on the two datasets. A five-factor solution revealed the existence of a marine component, a soil component and a general pollution component in the aerosol.