Heavy Metals and Acidic Components in Total Deposited Matter in Šibenik and National Park Kornati, Croatia

Abstract

This article presents the results of 6 years (1999-2004) of monitoring acidic components (fluoride, chloride, nitrate, sulfate) and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, thallium) in total deposited matter (TDM) in the town of Sibenik and the National Park Kornati, Croatia, in order to determine their levels, spatial and temporal variations, and possible emission source. Bulk deposition samples were collected using the Bergerhoff samplers. TDM matter was determined gravimetrically. Acidic anions were analyzed using ion chromatography. Metallic components were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results show that the levels of measured pollutants were relatively low compared to those reported in other investigations. Statistical analysis indicates that the measured pollutants originate from several sources such as resuspended soil, industry, road dust, traffic, and secondary aerosols as the most important. The levels of TDM show a slightly increasing trend at all sampling sites. A significant increasing trend in the levels of nitrate and sulfate in TDM could be the consequence of increasing traffic activity and urbanization. The significant increasing trend in the ratio between nitrate and sulfate in TDM indicates that the nitrate and sulfate relative contribution to acidification is increasing. The level of heavy metals in TDM was in order of lead > thallium > cadmium at all sampling sites with slightly decreasing trend.

Sources, Ionic Composition and Acidic Properties of Bulk and Wet Atmospheric Deposition in the Eastern Middle Adriatic Region

“…The annual limit value of 350 mg m −2 d −1 given by the Croatian Regulation on Levels of Pollutants in Ambient Air [47] was not exceeded during the studied period. A similar level (73 mg m −2 d −1 ) was also found in previous research at the eastern middle Adriatic, on the island of Žakan in the Kornati archipelago [37]. Our results are also comparable with the results obtained in background and rural coastal sites such as Isle of Mallorca in the western Mediterranean, with a deposition flux of 62 mg m −2 d −1 [9] and 46 mg m −2 d −1 in Cienfuegos Province at a Caribbean coast [1].…”

“…By diluting the multi-element standard (Merck, γ(NO 3 − , SO 4 2− ) = 500 mgL −1 ; γ(Cl − ) = 250 mgL −1 ), nine calibration standard solutions were prepared and each standard was analysed in triplicate (R 2 = 0.999). The detection limit for Cl − was 0.02 mg m −2 d −1 , and 0.04 mg m −2 d −1 for NO 3 − and SO 4 2− [ 37 ].…”

“…In the eastern middle Adriatic coastal region, studies that investigate inorganic content of AD are scarce, and even the deposition fluxes of major ions in bulk and wet AD are largely unexplored. Čačković et al [ 37 ] monitored AD at three locations in Šibenik-Knin County, Croatia, from 1999 to 2004. The total (bulk) deposition matter was determined, as well as the content of some acidic anions (F − , Cl − , NO 3 − , SO 4 2− ) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Tl).…”

Atmospheric deposition of biologically relevant trace metals in the eastern Adriatic coastal area

“…The majority of data related to AD impacts generated in the Mediterranean so far have been conducted in its western and eastern regions (e.g., Desboeufs et al, 2018, Eker-Develi et al, 2006, Guieu et al, 2010, Heimburger et al, 2010, while only a limited number of studies are related to the Adriatic Sea sub-basin, and are generally restricted to its northern part (Contini et al, 2012, Rossini et al, 2001, Čačković et al, 2009. The Adriatic Sea is under the combined influence of local, regional and long-distance sources of natural and anthropogenic emissions.…”