Characterization of As and trace metals embedded in PM10 particles in Puebla City, México

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 186; no. 1; pp. 55 - 67
• Main Authors: Morales-García, S. S., Rodríguez-Espinosa, P. F., Jonathan, M. P., Navarrete-López, M., Herrera-García, M. A., Muñoz-Sevilla, N. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 2014
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Arsenic - analysis; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Cities; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring; Metals - analysis; Mexico; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Particle Size; Particulate Matter - analysis; Mexico; México; Partially leached metals (PLMs); Trace elements; Puebla; Enrichment pattern; PM
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3355-4

Forty-eight air-filter samples (PM 10 ) were analysed to identify the concentration level of partially leached metals (PLMs; As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and V) from Puebla City, México. Samples were collected during 2008 from four monitoring sites: (1) Tecnológico (TEC), (2) Ninfas (NIN), (3) Hermanos Serdán (HS) and (4) Agua Santa (AS). The results indicate that in TEC, As (avg. 424 ng m −3 ), V (avg. 19.2 ng m −3 ), Fe (avg. 1,202 ng m −3 ), Cu (avg. 86.6 ng m −3 ), Cr (41.9 ng m −3 ) and Ni (18.6 ng m −3 ) are on the higher side than other populated regions around the world. The enrichment of PLMs is due to the industrial complexes generating huge dust particles involving various operations. The results are supported by the correlation of metals (Mn, Cd and Co) with Fe indicating its anthropogenic origin and likewise, As with Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Pb and V. The separate cluster of As, Fe and Mn clearly signifies that it is due to continuous eruption of fumaroles from the active volcano Popocatépetl in the region.