Abstract: In order to investigate the pollution characteristics and sources of chemicals (especially heavy metals) in atmospheric particles of different sizes, we collected PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 samples from Shijiazhuang City in 2016. We determined the mass concentrations of 13 elements including Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Sb, Hg, Pb and Cd by ICP-MS. We analyzed the distribution characteristics of these elements in PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 by the enrichment factor (EF) method, and discussed the main sources of these elements based on principal component analysis (PCA). The enrichment factor analysis showed that Al, Fe, Ti, and Mn were less influenced by human factors (EF<10), while other elements had significant to extremely strong human influences, especially Cd (EF>103). In addition, smaller particle size correlates with larger enrichment factor, indicating greater influence of human factors in small particles. Principal component analysis showed that there are three sources for the elements in PM1 and four for PM2.5 or PM10. The sources are mainly related to industrial activities, fossil fuel combustion, motor vehicle exhaust and wear, and garbage burning.

Key words: different particle sizes, heavy metals, enrichment factor, principal component analysis, Shijiazhuang City