From 2012 to 2013, heavy haze frequently hit Beijing in spring and winter. The fine atmospheric particulates can be inhaled by people, and remain in the respiratory tract and lung for quite a long time. The heavy metal elements in the particles are harmful, and even carcinogenic to human bodies. Therefore, it is necessary to master the geochemical characteristics and the temporal and spatial distribution of the heavy metal elements in atmospheric particles. The atmospheric particulates (TSP/PM10/PM2.5) were collected by using TH1500C intelligent medium volume (80~120 L/min) air samplers in the five functional areas and suburbs of Beijing, respectively in January 2013 (heating period) and April 2013 (non-heating period). The five functional areas were: building materials factory area, residential area, education area, business area and recreation area, each functional area having three sampling sites, and five in suburbs. The sampling height was 1.5 m above the ground and the distance of the sampling sites to roads exceeded 50 m so as to avoid excessive impact of vehicle exhaust emissions. These samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer(ICP-OES)and Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer (AFS), by which 21 elements including Al, Fe, Mn, As, Hg, Cd, Cr were tested. Based on the comparisons of the concentration and element content variation of atmospheric particulates of these functional areas in and after the heating period, the spatial distribution of atmospheric particulates and the influence of coal combustion on the concentration and composition of atmospheric particulates were revealed. The elements sources of atmospheric particulates were also discussed by computing the enrichment factor of the elements, providing a scientific basis for the air contaminant treatment in Beijing. The results showed that the total concentration of the 21 elements of PM10 and PM2.5 in the functional areas of Beijing in winter was higher than that in spring, the most marked among them being the business area. In winter, the concentration of pollution elements in the building materials factory area and the business area in Beijing was extremely high, and the residential area, education area, recreation area and suburbs where people live were much better, among which the education area was the best. The concentration change of particulates in suburbs was quite smaller in winter and spring than that of the urban area. It also showed that the concentrations of Cd, Cr, As and Hg in PM10 increased by 233%,306%,298%,141%,respectively and the increase in PM2.5 was 442%、309%、310%、256%, respectively. These abovementioned elements show a tendency to accumulate mainly in PM2.5 whose concentrations in winter were significantly higher than those in spring. It indicates that coal heating during winter makes great contributions to the polluting elements in atmosphere and the main polluting particulates are Cd, As and Hg.