Size-segregated concentration of heavy metals in an urban aerosol of the Balkans region (Belgrade)

This work focuses on the heavy metals contents of the size-segregated urban aerosol of the continental area of Balkans. The distribution of nano/micron heavy metals in the size-segregated urban aerosol of Belgrade center was studied during the summer–autumn of 2008. The particle size distribution in the size ranges Dp ≤ 0.49 μm, 0.49 ≤ Dp ≤ 0.95 μm, 0.95 ≤ Dp ≤ 1.5 μm, 1.5 ≤ Dp ≤ 3.0 μm, 3.0 ≤ Dp ≤ 7.2 μm and Dp ≥ 7.2 μm was measured. The aerosol samples were submitted to gravimetric and chemical analyses. The obtained mean mass concentration of the PM fractions was in accordance with an urban aerosol distribution. The aerosol mass concentrations were determined by gravimetric measurements (mGM) and, for heavy metals analyzed by ICP/MS

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARASTERISTIC OF URBAN AEROSOL OF CENTRAL BALKANS (BELGRADE)

Size-segregated urban aerosol of Belgrade center (44049'14''N, 20027'44''E) was studied during the summer-autumn 2008. The representative location in traffic area Studentski trg was chosen for investigating physical and chemical characteristics of collected particles. Particle size distribution in the size range Dp £ 0.49 µm, 0.49 £ Dp £ 0.95 µm, 0.95 £ Dp £ 1.5 µm, 1.5 £ Dp £ 3.0 µm, 3.0 £ Dp £ 7.2 µm and Dp ³ 7.2 µm were measured. Aerosol samples were submitted to gravimetric SEM analysis. The shape, size and chemical composition of the fine and coarse particles were analyzed. The imaging was carried out by SEM (Nova NanoSEM 230, FEI, USA). The same SEM was also used for the EDX measurements performed. The particles collected on fiber filters for SEM imaging were further on coated with 4 nm Pt layer to improve conductivity of the samples. The morphological and chemical composition suggested that the most abundant particles were carbonaceous soot but also microbes and natural and anthropogenic inorganic mineral materials. The chemical characterization was performed on a semi-quantitative level. The contents of the carbon were up to 70% or higher. In the samples were dominating next others elements: O, Mo, Si, Fe, Ca, Al, K, Mg

Mass distributions and morphological and chemical characterization of urban aerosols in the continental Balkan area (Belgrade)

This work presents characteristics of atmospheric aerosols of urban central Balkans area, using a size-segregated aerosol sampling method, calculation of mass distributions, SEM/EDX characterization, and ICP/MS analysis. Three types of mass distributions were observed: distribution with a pronounced domination of coarse mode, bimodal distribution, and distribution with minimum at 1 μm describing the urban aerosol. SEM/EDX analyses have shown morphological difference and variation in the content of elements in samples. EDX spectra demonstrate that particles generally contain the following elements: Al, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Ni, K, Si, S. Additionally, the presence of As, Br, Sn, and Zn found in air masses from southeast segment points out the anthropogenic activities most probably from mining activities in southeastern part of Serbia. The ratio Al/Si equivalent to the ratio of desert dust was associated with air masses coming from southeastern and southwestern segments, pointing to influences from North Africa and Middle East desert areas whereas the Al/Si ratio in other samples is significantly lower. In several samples, we found high values of aluminum in the nucleation mode. Samples with low share of crustal elements in the coarse mode are collected when Mediterranean air masses prevailed, while high share in the coarse mode was associated with continental air masses that could be one of the approaches for identification of the aerosol origin. Graphical abstract ᅟ.This work presents characteristics of atmospheric aerosols of urban central Balkans area, using a size-segregated aerosol sampling method, calculation of mass distributions, SEM/EDX characterization, and ICP/MS analysis. Three types of mass distributions were observed: distribution with a pronounced domination of coarse mode, bimodal distribution, and distribution with minimum at 1 mu m describing the urban aerosol. SEM/EDX analyses have shown morphological difference and variation in the content of elements in samples. EDX spectra demonstrate that particles generally contain the following elements: Al, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Ni, K, Si, S. Additionally, the presence of As, Br, Sn, and Zn found in air masses from southeast segment points out the anthropogenic activities most probably from mining activities in southeastern part of Serbia. The ratio Al/Si equivalent to the ratio of desert dust was associated with air masses coming from southeastern and southwestern segments, pointing to influences from North Africa and Middle East desert areas whereas the Al/Si ratio in other samples is significantly lower. In several samples, we found high values of aluminum in the nucleation mode. Samples with low share of crustal elements in the coarse mode are collected when Mediterranean air masses prevailed, while high share in the coarse mode was associated with continental air masses that could be one of the approaches for identification of the aerosol origin

Trace elements in size-segregated urban aerosol in relation to the anthropogenic emission sources and the resuspension

Size segregated particulate samples of atmospheric aerosols in urban site of continental part of Balkans were collected during 6 months in 2008. Six stages impactor in the size ranges: Dp ≤ 0.49 μm, 0.49 < Dp ≤ 0.95 μm, 0.95 < Dp ≤ 1.5 μm, 1.5 < Dp ≤ 3.0 μm, 3.0 < Dp ≤ 7.2 μm, and 7.2 < Dp ≤ 10.0 μm was applied for sampling. ICP-MS was used to quantify elements: Al, As, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Na, Ni, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn. Two main groups of elements were investigated: (1) K, V, Ni, Zn, Pb, As, and Cd with high domination in nuclei mode indicating the combustion processes as a dominant sources and (2) Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, Cr, Ga, Co, and Li in coarse mode indicating mechanical processes as their main origin. The strictly crustal origin is for Mg, Fe, Ca, and Co while for As, Cd, K, V, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn dominates the anthropogenic influence. The PCA analysis has shown that main contribution is of resuspension (PC1, σ2 ≈ 30 %) followed by traffic (PC2, σ2 ≈ 20 %) that are together contributing around 50 % of elements in the investigated urban aerosol. The EF model shows that major origin of Cd, K, V, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As in the fine mode is from the anthropogenic sources while increase of their contents in the coarse particles indicates their deposition from the atmosphere and soil contamination. This approach is useful for the assessment of the local resuspension influence on element’s contents in the aerosol and also for the evaluation of the historical pollution of soil caused by deposition of metals from the atmosphere

Size-segregated mass concentration and water soluble inorganic ions in an urban aerosol of the Central Balkans (Belgrade)

The distribution of nano/micron inorganic main ions in the size-segregated urban aerosol of Belgrade center was studied during the summer–autumn of 2008. The particle size distribution in the size ranges Dp ≤ 0.49 µm, 0.49 ≤ Dp ≤ 0.95 µm, 0.95 ≤ Dp ≤ 1.5 µm, 1.5 ≤ Dp ≤ 3.0 µm, 3.0 ≤ Dp ≤ 7.2 µm and Dp ≥ 7.2 µm was measured. The aerosol samples were submitted to gravimetric and chemical analyses. The obtained mean mass concentration of the PM fractions was in accordance with an urban aerosol distribution. The aerosol mass concentrations were determined by gravimetric measurements (mGM) and, analyzed by ion chromatography for Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl–, NO3–, PO43– and SO42–. The mean random uncertainties associated with the determinations of Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl–, NO3– and SO42– were assessed. The absolute highest concentration is found for SO42– (1555.8 ± 973.6 ng m–3) in the range of Dp ≤ 0.49 µm with an average participation of 8.19 % to the total mass of the particles. The highest coefficients of correlation were found between NH4+ and SO42–. Principal component analysis, PCA, was used for the identification and evaluation of the contributions of the main emission sources to the contents of water soluble ions in the urban aerosol. The dominant process of particle formation was chemical reactions between gaseous precursors. The formation of (NH4)2SO4 was the dominant process. The influences of local urban and regional industrial sources were identified as contributors to the contents of the main ions in urban aerosol of Belgrade. An effect of marine aerosol was observed

Water-soluble inorganic ions in urban aerosols of the continental part of Balkans (Belgrade) during the summer – autumn (2008). Central European Journal of Chemistry.

Size-segregated aerosol samples were collected using six stages High Volume Cascade Impactor. Aerosol mass and water soluble ions concentrations were determined. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was used to study the origin of air masses arriving to Belgrade in the investigated period. The obtained results of aerosol mass and water-soluble ion concentrations have been divided into six sub-data sets based on air mass categories. The highest average mass concentration of the fine mode (Dp ≤ 0.49 μm) was found for air masses coming to Belgrade from the southeast and northwest directions, and of the coarse mode (3.0 < Dp ≤7.2 μm) for air masses arriving from the northwest direction. The highest concentrations of SO42– were found in the fine particles transported to the investigated area by air masses from southeast direction. The analysis of contribution of marine aerosol components (Na+ and Cl-), the Correlation and Cluster Analysis indicated the influence of marine aerosol on urban aerosol of the central Balkans coming from the Western Mediterranean and northern direction. NH4+ and SO42- and K+ dominated in the fine mode for all air mass categories. PCA demonstrated the dominant impact of secondary aerosol formation processes on urban aerosols

Associations of trace elements in aerosol at the South Adriatic Coast

We applied statistical methods to the data of a 5-year sampling period to characterize the features of trace elements in airborne particulate matter at the South Adriatic Coast. The analysis of surface soil samples was also performed. The data were processed by cluster analysis, enrichment factor determination and receptor rose statistics. It is shown that the principal element association consists of Fe, Mn and Ti originating from surface material resuspension. Hg and Se were shown to originate from more complex natural and anthropogenic processes. A strong emission source of Cd and Se was identified in the SSE direction