Concentrations and sources of metals in the Antarctic Peninsula aerosol
- 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), Journal Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States) Vol. 55:7; ISSN GCACA; ISSN 0016-7037
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
AEROSOL MONITORING
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
AIR QUALITY
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALUMINIUM
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ANTARCTICA
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COLLOIDS
COPPER
DISPERSIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
GEOCHEMISTRY
ION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
LEAD
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
METALS
MONITORING
NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
POLAR REGIONS
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SODIUM
SOLS
SPECTROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ZINC