TY - JOUR T1 - Trace metal concentrations in the North-western Mediterranean atmospheric aerosol between 1986 and 2008: Seasonal patterns and decadal trends A1 - Heimbuerger,Lars-Eric A1 - Migon,Christophe A1 - Dufour,Aurelie A1 - Chiffoleau,Jean-Francois A1 - Cossa,Daniel AD - UMPC Univ Paris 06, UMR 7093, LOV, Observ Oceanog, F-06234 Villefranche Sur Mer, France. AD - CNRS, UMR 7093, LOV, Observ Oceanog, F-06234 Villefranche Sur Mer, France. AD - IFREMER, Ctr Nantes, F-44311 Nantes, France. AD - IFREMER, Ctr Mediterranee, F-83507 La Seyne Sur Mer, France. UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.02.042 DO - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.02.042 KW - Trace metals KW - Aerosols KW - Anthropic impact KW - Mediterranean KW - Anti-pollution policy N2 - Climatic and anthropogenic changes are able to engender modifications in the aerosol composition at different geographical and temporal scales The present study addresses this question for the trace metal concentrations (TM = Al, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn) of aerosol from the North-western Mediterranean coast of France (Cap Ferrat, nearby Nice) between 1986 and 2008. From seasonal variations (2006-08) and decadal trends (1986-2008) of TM concentrations. three groups of elements can be distinguished They consist of different aerosol sources: crustal-derived elements (Al, Fe. Mn and Co), trace metals of anthropogenic origin (Pb, Cd and Zn) and a third, intermediate, group of trace metals that presented both anthropogenic and natural/crustal influences (Ni and Cu). Reproducible seasonal patterns were observed for crustal and intermediate elements with highest concentrations between May and November. while anthropogenic trace metals did not show a pronounced seasonal cycle Nevertheless, highest concentrations of anthropogenic trace metals occurred mostly in autumn/winter. Aerosol concentrations of anthropogenic TMs decreased remarkably over the last two decades, while crustal trace metals did not show any evolution Nickel and copper aerosol concentrations remained constant, as well. Lead concentrations decreased from 1986 (29.34 ng m(-3)) to 2008 (3.33 ng m(-3)). overall by 90%. Cadmium and zinc aerosol concentrations decreased by 66 and 54%, respectively, between 1998 and 2006-08. from 0.27 to 0.09 ng m(-3) and from 23.9 to 10.9 ng m(-3). respectively. These findings demonstrate the response of the atmospheric environment to the implementation of antipollution policies Possible changes of trace metal emissions sources and local influences are discussed (C) 2010 Elsevier B V. All rights reserved. Y1 - 2010/06 PB - Elsevier Science Bv JF - Science Of The Total Environment SN - 0048-9697 VL - 408 IS - 13 SP - 2629 EP - 2638 ID - 11688 ER -