Size-fractionated aerosol samples were collected at De Panne, a coastal village east of the French industrial area of Dunkerque. The samples were treated and analysed with conventional ion chromatography (IC) analysis and with the relatively new and promising thin-window electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) technique. The output data of the chromatographic bulk analysis technique were compared with the results from the individual particle analysis technique after statistical processing. Both methods give specific and complementary information concerning the aerosol composition. Statistically interpreted information on the single particle scale can give a more qualitative interpretation of the quantitative bulk analysis data. In fact, it becomes possible to define and quantify a certain compound as a constituent of different aerosol types. On the other hand, the quantitative data of the bulk analysis helps the interpretation, validation and quantification of the output from the single particle technique. Especially in the case of coagulated aerosols, the IC technique is able to define and to quantify irresolvable clusters.