Author(s): LOYOLA, J.; ARBILLA, G.; QUITERIO, S. L.; ESCALEIRA, V.; BELLIDO, A. V.

Summary: Total particulate matter (TSP) and PM10 samples were collected in a bus station, in the period of August 2006 to February 2007. Buses are the only significant emission sources in this area once light duty vehicles represent about 1-2% of total flux and no other activities are developed in the location. Concentrations of metals in the samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Ca, Mg, Fe and Al were the most abundant elements and accounted for about 50.1%, 24.2%, 6.5% and 18.7% of the total metal content. Co, Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb were under detection limits except for a few samples. Calculated enrichment factors show that Zn and Cu are probably due to fuel and oil composition. Ca, Mg and Al may be attributed to dust resuspension while Fe may be due to both dust resuspension and contribution of vehicles.

Publication year: 2009

Types of publication: Journal article

Unit: Embrapa Soils

Keywords: Airborne particulate matter, Diesel emissions, PM10, Trace metal