Toxic trace elements associated with airborne particulate matter: a review

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/08940630.1987.10466321· OSTI ID:5412915

Schroeder, W H; Dobson, M; Kane, D M; Johnson, N D

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), Journal Name: J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 37:11; ISSN JPCAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ANTIMONY
ARSENIC
BARYON REACTIONS
CADMIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMIUM
COBALT
COPPER
DOCUMENT TYPES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
HADRON REACTIONS
IRON
LEAD
MANGANESE
MEASURING METHODS
MERCURY
METALS
NEUTRON REACTIONS
NICKEL
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEON REACTIONS
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION
REVIEWS
RURAL AREAS
SAMPLING
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SPECTRA
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
URBAN AREAS
VANADIUM
X-RAY SPECTRA
ZINC