Elemental Composition of Aerosols from the Antarctic Peninsula

Aerosols collected during 1986/87 in Ferraz station (620 S, 58°W), Antarctic Peninsula were analysed by NAA techniques. Sodium and clarine derived from sea spray were the predominant component in the aerosols. Soil dust components AI and Mn were about 30 times larger than at the South Pole due probably to a combination of the proximity to the S. America and to local sources. A marked decrease in concentration followed by the same change in the atmospheric radon and wind velocity from 1986 to 1987 were also observed. Zn and Sb presented a clear minimum concentration during winter while Br and V displayed a steadily decrease with time. Fe, Ca, Au, La, and Sc did not present any clear trend during the year.