Ambient PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 microm) concentrations were measured on a 255 meter tower in Tianjin, China. The samples were collected at four vertical levels (10, 40, 120 and 220 m). Vertical characteristics for PM10 samples were studied. The results showed that the concentrations of PM10 and constituent species had a negative correlation with the sampling height. The highest concentrations of PM10 and species were obtained at the 10 m level, and the lowest concentrations were measured at the 220 m level. For the fractions of species to total mass, SO4(2-) and NO3- had higher values (fraction) at greater height; while Ca had a higher fraction at lower height. Possible source categories for the PM10 ambient dataset were identified by the principal component analysis method. The possible source categories included crustal dust, vehicles, cement dust, and incineration as well as secondary sulfate and nitrate sources. Analysis of meteorological factors on PM10 concentrations indicated that wind speed and inversion may be the main factors contributing to different concentrations of PM10 at different heights.