Abstract This study will attempt to determine the contributions of natural and anthropogenic sources to particulate matter less than ten microns (PM10) aerosol at McMurdo Station during the austral summer. The natural sources are expected to include geological dust, much of what may be resuspended by activities at the station, seasalt aerosol, and marine-biogenic sulfate. The contribution of Mt. Erebus is expected to be small. The principal anthropogenic sources of PM10 are expected to be combustion-elated emissions from six diesel generators, diesel heat furnaces, and diesel- and gasoline-powered support vehicles. The emissions from each of the major sources will be sampled and their trace element, ion, and elemental and organic carbon composition characterized. Concentrations of the chemical components will also be determined in 48-hour duration PM10 aerosol samples collected continuously for two months in each of two consecutive summers in central McMurdo and at one upwind site (8-Site). The individual source contributions to PM10 will be determined by Chemical Mass Balance receptor modeling using the ambient sample concentrations and the source composition profiles. The results of this study will provide guidance for emission reduction strategies at this and other Antarctic research stations.
