During 2004, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Rh, Se, Sb, Sr, Tl,V and Zn were analysed for atmospheric deposition at three sites in Northern Italy: Alpe Devero, a high mountain valley far from anthropogenic sources; Verbania Pallanza, an urban centre; Bellinzago, an industrialized area. Analyses were conducted using ICP-OES and ICP-MS (the latter was necessary for requisite accuracy of 13 of the 19 elements). The t-tests performed on the data obtained for the ions and the metals at the three stations showed that Alpe Devero had the lowest levels for ions. Verbania presented concentrations similar to Bellinzago. At the Alpine station the concentrations of Ba, Fe and Sr show significant differences compared with Bellinzago. Of the metals of widespread anthropogenic origin, Cd and Zn showed concentrations lower than those measured at Verbania and Bellinzago.
The measured fluxes of some metals were in good agreement with the fluxes estimated by the EMEP.