Assessment of the trace elements level in urban atmospheric particulate matter and source apportionment in Islamabad, Pakistan

作者：Shah Munir H^*; Shaheen Nazia; Nazir Rashida

来源：Atmospheric Pollution Research, 2012, 3(1): 39-45.

DOI：10.5094/APR.2012.003

• Particulate matter
• Urban atmosphere
• Trace elements
• Source apportionment
• PCA

The present study was conducted to investigate the distribution, correlation, source apportionment and enrichment of trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sb and Zn) in the urban atmospheric particulate matter. The total suspended particulate matter samples were extracted in nitric acid and hydrochloric acid mixture, followed by the quantification of the trace elements on flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The estimated elemental data were then evaluated for their mutual variations in the urban particles. Average 24-h concentrations of Fe and Zn were dominant in the atmospheric particles followed by Cu, Pb, Co, Cr, and Sb, while lowest concentrations were observed for Mn and Cd. The present TSP and elemental levels were also compared with those reported from other areas around the world. The correlation study showed strong relationships between TSP-Fe, Mn-Fe, TSP-Mn, Pb-Mn, Cd-Pb, and Co-Zn. Principal component and cluster analyses revealed automobile emissions, industrial activities, combustion processes and mineral dust as the major pollution sources in the atmospheric particles. Among the trace elements, Sb, Cd, Zn and Pb showed very high enrichment by the anthropogenic activities, while Co and Cu were also significantly enriched in the particulate samples. Most of the trace elements exhibited random distribution with diverse correlations in the atmospheric particles. Comparison of the present elemental levels with those reported from other areas around the world showed relatively elevated concentrations of the elements in the atmospheric particulates. Different anthropogenic activities were found to be mainly responsible for the trace element pollution duly supported by the enrichment factors.

• 出版日期2012-1