Rare Earth Element Components in Atmospheric Particulates during Sand-Dust Weather in Baotou

Objectives To analyze and evaluate the change of chemical components, such as rare earth elements, in the atmospheric particulates during sand-dust weather.

Methods The daily concentration of particulate matter in aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM_2.5) and ≤10 μm (PM₁₀) were measured by air samplers in Baotou city during the spring of 2005 and 2006 respectively.The content of chemical components in particulates was determined by the inductively coupled plasma -mass spectrometer.All data were analyzed statistically by software SPSS 13.0.

Results In comparison with the non-sand-dust weather, the levels of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd in the PM_2.5 during sand-dust weather in 2005 were higher (P < 0.05), and the levels of Dy, Tm and Lu in the PM₁₀ in 2006 during the sand-dust weather were also higher (P < 0.05).

Conclusions The level of rare-earth elements, such as La and Ce, increased in the particulates during the sand-dust weather and the content distribution of components in particulates were the same as that in the crust of the earth.It is suggested that the sources of sand-dust is from the rare-earth mining area in the vicinity.