QUANTIFYING THE CONCENTRATION OF Zn, Cu, Pb AND Cd IN PARTICLES LESS THAN 10µm FROM THEATMOSPHERIC AEROSOL. CLASSIFICATION OF POLLUTING SOURCES IN THE STUDY AREA.

Abstract

The atmosphere is very important for the movement of the particulate material, especially those less than 10 microns (PM10 fraction), which are harmful to living organisms. In this paper atmospheric aerosol samples were taken in an urban area of Havana, Cuba. The sampling period was the last quarter of 2009. For the collection of samples a sensor high flow Staplex was employed, using quartz filters of 500 cm². The sampled area is highly influenced by urban traffic, light and heavy industry, hospitals and landfills. PM10 concentrations present in atmospheric aerosols, as well as levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) that are part of the inorganic fraction of atmospheric aerosol collected were determined. An acid digestion method was conducted to treat the collected samples. To quantify the concentrations of PM10 and heavy metals the Emission Spectrometry with Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-AES) technique was used. Concentrations ofPM10 are higher than those established by the European community, which is a sign of unsustainable development. eavy metal levels are lower than those of Cuban standards of air quality. Comparison of heavy metal concentrations measured in our work with those reported for studies in Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai, show similar levels of contamination, even though the rates of development for the province of Havana are lower. Potential sources of emissions of particulate matter and geographical areas of greatest impact on the area under study were identified, being substantially influenced by the western Atlantic and the eastern United States and Canada.