Multiple hazardous elements in nanoparticulate matter from a Caribbean industrialized atmosphere

Abstract

Modern microscopy studies are capable of revealing ultra-fine particles (UFPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) that are produced in the processes related to traffic vehicular, industrial, metropolitan, and marine aerosol dry deposition in the coastal zones. Especially, secondary aerosol passages complexes categories of NPs and UFPs, which can be accumulated on construction compounds and by dry deposition, encourages multiples monuments deterioration routes. The advanced electron microscopies method is one of the most utilized in environmental studies. Between the different industrial areas in the world, the Caribbean area is the most relevant symbols of air quality due to climatic conditions with strong winds, but this study shows that regionally the most industrialized region does not have an adequate air quality. In the present work, electron microscopy analyses are used to describe of the extent of ultra-fine particle and nanoparticles in walls in contact to weathering. Numerous phases were recognized by advanced mineralogy methods. Thanks to the new analytical procedure it was feasible to understand NPs and UFPs; the occurrence of potential hazardous elements (PHEs), most of them as minerals but also combined in multiple accumulations with Al-Cr-Fe-K-Mg-Pb-Si-Ti-Zn amorphous; and carbonaceous phases.

Indoor Nanoparticle Characterization in Construction Waste Recycling Companies over Time

“…It was also added for the analysis of NPs by HR-TEM. It should be noted that it was not necessary to prepare the collected samples to perform the AM (advanced microscopy) and XRD (X-ray powder diffraction) analyses [8,26,42], which in turn does not cause any change to the molecular structure of the analyzed particles [43][44][45][46][47][48]. The analysis of the collected material was carried out with the X-ray diffractometer NAPLOCK and X-ray Bruker (D8 DISCOVER) to identify the mineral and amorphous phases of the sampled chemical elements [49].…”

“…Since several studies with sensors in construction areas are highly difficult and complex [39][40][41], we opted for the use of a self-made passive sampler (LSPS). This sampler was used in several studies to evaluate NPs and UFPs in construction areas such as Brazil, on European islands [8,26] and in the Caribbean region [42], among many other places. The LSPS proved to be a viable sampler, especially when studying the particles that people tend to breathe, since they are fixed on the walls at an average height between 1.30 and 1.50 m (approximate height of the nose and mouth).…”

An Integrated Method for Landscape Assessment: Application to Santiago de Cuba Bay, Cuba

“…The lack of unity illustrates the importance and the originality of considering the integrated characterization and valuation of landscape (IMLA) for sustainable management. Therefore, this research considers the integrated landscape approach [76] as a way to understand and manage the environment in accordance with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).…”

Environmental and human health risks associated with exposure to hazardous elements present in urban dust from Barranquilla, Colombian Caribbean

“…Barranquilla, the largest city in the Colombian Caribbean, is recognized for its contribution to Colombia's cultural heritage (Gallego‐Cartagena et al., 2020) and has driven the main regional transformations, due to its economic dynamics, industrial development, and urban growth (Aldana et al., 2018; UNESCO, 2008). However, this has also led to the increase in pollution indicators associated with industrial emissions (Silva et al., 2020), whose dispersion and atmospheric deposition in the urban area are favored by climatic characteristics of the region, such as high temperatures, wind patterns, and humidity (Angulo, 2017). Thus, it is necessary to characterize urban dust particles and the ecological and health risks they may represent for the population.…”