Concentrations and sources of metals in the Antarctic Peninsula aerosol

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(91)90027-3· OSTI ID:5756876

Dick, A L ^[1]

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1. Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge (England)

Aerosol samples were collected at a remote site near the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula during the austral summer of 1984/85. Filter samples were analyzed for Al (as a crustal reference element), marine cations (Na, K, and Ca), heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn), and sulfate using atomic absorption spectrometry, isotope dilution mass spectrometry, neutron activation analysis, and ion chromatography. Ultraclean sample collection and analysis procedures used to avoid sample contamination are described in detail here. Mean concentrations of heavy metals were found to be: Cd, 0.06 pg m{sup {minus}3}; Cu, 1.0 pg m{sup {minus}3}; Pb, 4.7 pg m{sup {minus}3}; and Zn, 6.1 pg m{sup {minus}3}. These are the lowest concentrations yet determined in the troposphere, but for Pb and Zn they still indicate a significant enrichment over expected crustal concentrations. For these elements, estimated marine and volcanic contributions cannot account for this excess and suggest pollution as the dominant source even at this remote location. For Cd and Cu a dominant anthropogenic source cannot be ruled out, although current estimated of crustal, marine, a volcanic emissions could account for levels determined.

• OSTI ID: 5756876
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States), Vol. 55:7; ISSN 0016-7037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
AEROSOLS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ALUMINIUM
AEROSOL MONITORING
ANTARCTICA
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
COPPER
LEAD
SODIUM
ZINC
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
AIR POLLUTION
AIR QUALITY
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GEOCHEMISTRY
ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMISTRY
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
METALS
MONITORING
POLAR REGIONS
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLS
SPECTROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
580000 - Geosciences