Assessment of Air Pollution around the Panzhihua V-Ti Magnetite Mine Region, Southwest China

Abstract

This study investigated variations in air quality by evaluating trace gases, inhalable particulate matter (PM 10 ), and associated trace elements at three sites in Panzhihua (a mining city located in Panxi Rift Valley, Southwest China) between January and December 2014. The concentrations of 19 trace elements in PM 10 were determined through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Single particle morphology and chemical composition were determined through scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis to identify their possible sources. Mean sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide concentrations were highest near the steel smelting district, whereas ozone concentrations were highest in the residential region. Annual mean concentrations of PM 10 at three sites were 129.4, 165.5, and 187.2 µg m -3 ; all these exceed the annual mean (70.0 µg m -3 ) of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. In addition, the concentrations of trace elements in PM 10 exhibited significant spatial and seasonal variations at the three sites. The mean concentrations of trace elements in PM 10 were in the order of Fe > Ti > Zn > Pb > Cu > Mn > Ba > V > Cr > Ni > Sr > Bi > Cd > As > Co > Sb > Sc > TI > U. The enrichment factor values of the trace elements suggested that anthropogenic activities were the dominant sources of As, Cd, Sb, Ti, TI, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Bi. Particle morphology and chemical composition analysis revealed five major particle types, namely aluminosilicate, Fe-containing, mineral, soot, and Ca-containing particles.

Chemical composition of PM10 and its effect on in vitro hemolysis of human red blood cells (RBCs): a comparison study during dust storm and inversion

“…Chemical composition of the earth's crust was obtained from Taylor and McLennan study [27]. EF results are interpreted as follow: <1: elements related to the local crust, >10: elements related to anthropogenic sources, 1-10: elements related to the mixed sources [25].…”

Characteristics and Source Analysis of PM1 in a Typical Steel-Industry City, Southwest China

“…In addition, the average mass concentration of PM 1 in 73 cities in China was 41.9 µg/m 3 (4.8-84.0 µg/m 3 ) in 2013-2014 [16]. On the other hand, in recent years, the morphology and PTEs of particulate matter have received extensive attention due to the influence of particle shape and PTEs on their chemical properties, health effects and the application of these characteristics in source identification [17][18][19]. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) offers the possibility to visually relate the morphology, size, and texture of atmospheric particles with the corresponding chemical composition [20][21][22].…”

“…The microscopic morphology of atmospheric particulate matter mainly included soot, fly ash, mineral particles, organic particles, sulphate particles, biomass particles [25][26][27]. The microscopic morphology of PM 10 and PM 2.5 in Panzhihua city mainly included aluminosilicate particles, sulphate particles, fly ash, biomass burning particles, metal particles and unrecognizable fine particles [19,28]. PTEs are important components of PM 1 .…”