The characteristics of daytime and nighttime suburbs PM2.5 in Shanghai were analyzed by synchrotron based X-ray fluorescence during the period of October, 2006 and November, 2007. The mass concentrations of nighttime PM2.5 was approximately two times that of daytime PM2.5. Some elements, such as Zn, Cu, Mn, Cl were found enriched at night. The local sources might have significa...