A study of air particulate pollution in colombo using a nuclear-related analytical technique |
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Authors: | Seneviratne M C S Mahawatte P Fernando R K S Hewamanna R Sumithrarachchi C |
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Institution: | (1) Atomic Energy Authority, 343, 1st Floor, Lanka Tractors Building, Olcott Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka;(2) Radioisotope Centre, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
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Abstract: | Air particulate matter of two size fractions (coarse 2.5–10 Μm] and fine less than 2.5 Μm]) were collected at an urban residential
site (Colombo University ground) over a period of 12 mo during 1996 using a Gent PM10 stacked filter unit. Seventy-five sets
of samples collected during this period were analyzed for 10 elements: Al, Si, K, S, Ca, Ti, Fe, Zn, Br, and Pb by energy-dispersive
X-ray fluorescence, which is a multielement analysis. This is a highly sensitive technique enabling quantitative analysis
of very low masses.
The average concentrations of lead, sulfur, and bromine, which are generally associated with combustion products of automotive
exhausts, dominate the fine fraction in this study. The minimum and maximum concentration of lead resulting in an annual average
of 0.09 Μg/m3 was found to be 0.0042 and 0.441 Μg/m3 in particulate matter with less than 10 Μm equivalent aerodynamic diameter. The maximum concentration determined is well
below the limits set by the World Health Organization (0.5–1.0 Μg/m3). The recommended value for Pb in Sri Lanka is 0.5 Μg/m3. Al, Si, Ca, Ti, and Fe exhibited enhanced concentrations in the coarse fraction, which probably originate from disturbed
soil as a result of wind and traffic. |
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Keywords: | Air pollution environment PM10 aerosols ED-XRF lead in air |
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