A measurement of summertime dry deposition of ambient air particulates and associated metallic pollutants in Central Taiwan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to characterize metallic elements associated with atmospheric particulate matter in the dry deposition plate, total suspended particulate, fine particles, and coarse particles at Taichung Harbor and Gong Ming Junior High School (airport) in central Taiwan at a sampling site from June 2013 to August 2013. The results indicated that: (1) the average concentrations of the metallic elements Cr and Cd were highest at the Gong Ming Junior High School (airport), and the average concentrations of the metallic elements Ni, Cu, and Pb were highest at the Taichung Harbor sampling site. (2) The high smelting industry density and export/import rate of heavily loaded cargos were the main reasons leading to these findings. (3) The average metallic element dry deposition and metallic element PM(2.5-10) all followed the order of Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > Cd at the two sampling sites. However, the average metallic elements Cu and Pb were found to have the highest dry deposition velocities and concentrations in PM(2.5) for the two sampling sites in this study. (4) The correlation coefficients of ambient air particle dry deposition and concentration with wind speed at the airport were higher than those from the harbor sampling site. The wind and broad open spaces at Taichung Airport were the possible reasons for the increasing correlation coefficients for ambient air particle concentration and dry deposition with wind speed at the Taichung Airport sampling site.

Comparison of dry and wet deposition of particulate matter in near-surface waters during summer

“…These results indicated that there was no significant association between dry deposition velocity and wind speed of PM ( Fig 7a and 7b ). However, this result did not conform with the results of other studies [ 26 , 27 ] and the relevant explanations made by some physical models, such as firm theory and the resistance model [ 28 – 30 ]. Furthermore, wind speed could also influence the particles accumulation on leaves [ 31 ].…”

“…Furthermore, wind speed could also influence the particles accumulation on leaves [ 31 ]. Wind speed was the strongest meteorological factor, which influenced dry deposition velocity [ 26 ] and had a positive correlation with the dry deposition velocity of TSP [ 22 , 26 – 29 ]. The results of our study may have been affected by the low wind speed conditions that prevailed during the sampling period.…”

Environmental Study on Atmospheric Suspended Particulate Matter and Heavy Metals in Sandoub Area, Al-Mansoura, Egypt

“…Heavy metals are one of the most important pollutants emitted to the atmosphere due to their toxic effects on the environment and human health (Fang et al, 2015). Heavy metals may come from many different sources in urbanized areas, including vehicle emissions, industrial discharges and other activities (Talebi and Abedi, 2004).…”