Toxic trace elements associated with airborne particulate matter: a review
This article provides a concise review of published literature pertaining to sampling and analytical methodologies, aerometric studies, source identification techniques and modeling activities for the elements arsenic, cadmium, nickel, lead, vanadium, zinc, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, manganese, selenium and antimony, and their compounds, associated with airborne particulate matter. Sampling techniques discussed include filtration and inertial separation. Analytical methodologies such as atomic absorption and atomic emission spectrometry, neutron activation analysis, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry are summarized. Data on atmospheric levels of 14 trace elements are presented in summary form from numerous studies in remote, rural and urban areas, and generally indicate that concentrations measured at rural locations are several orders of magnitude lower than those measured for urban areas. Source identification methodologies are discussed in terms of advantages and disadvantages, and various applications are cited for the following categories: size differentiation, enrichment factors, chemical mass balance, and multivariate models. Wed and dry deposition processes are reviewed and environmental measurement data are provided for each element for remote, rural and urban locations. Global cycles and trace element budgets are introduced in the context of the types of models currently in use. Limitations include inadequate global scale surveys of heavy metal concentrations and the lack of knowledge of sources and/or sinks.
- Research Organization:
- Atmospheric Environment Service, Downsview, Ontario (Canada)
- OSTI ID:
- 5412915
- Journal Information:
- J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Vol. 37:11
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
PARTICULATES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
MEASURING METHODS
SAMPLING
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ANTIMONY
ARSENIC
CADMIUM
CHROMIUM
COBALT
COPPER
GLOBAL ASPECTS
IRON
LEAD
MANGANESE
MERCURY
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NICKEL
REVIEWS
RURAL AREAS
SELENIUM
TRACE AMOUNTS
URBAN AREAS
VANADIUM
X-RAY SPECTRA
ZINC
BARYON REACTIONS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
HADRON REACTIONS
METALS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
PARTICLES
POLLUTION
SEMIMETALS
SPECTRA
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)