Sources of anthropogenic platinum-group elements (PGE): Automotive catalysts versus pge-processing industries

Abstract

Soil samples from the area of Hanau (Hessen, Germany) were analyzed for anthropogenic platinum-group elements (PGE). The results confirm the existence of two different sources for anthropogenic PGE: 1. automotive catalysts, and 2. PGE-processing plants. Both sources emit qualitatively and quantitatively different PGE spectra and PGE interelemental ratios (especially the Pt/Rh ratio). Elevated PGE values which are due to automotive catalysts are restricted to a narrow-range along roadside soil, whereas those due to PGE-processing plants display a large-area dispersion. The emitted PGE-containing particles in the case of automotive catalysts are subject to transport by wind and water, whereas those from PGE-processing plants are preferably transported by wind. This points to a different aerodynamic particle size. Pt, Pd, and Rh concentrations along motorways are dependent on the amount of traffic and the driving characteristics.

Survey of the Distribution and Time-Dependent Increase of Platinum-Group Element Accumulation Along Urban Roads in Ioannina (NW Greece)

“…2 suggest that roadside dust is more enriched compared to soil, following the order Rh>Pt>Pb>Pd for dust and Rh> Pt>Pd>Pb for soil, respectively. This is in agreement with previous studies that have considered both media (Farago et al 1998;Schafer and Puchelt 1998;Zereini et al 1998). …”

“…The first considers spot-specific samples in order to estimate pollution levels in these areas and compare them with archived data from the same areas thus providing an estimate of long-term PGE accumulation (Zereini et al 1998;Helmers and Mergel 1998;Schafer et al 1999). The second type of study is less frequent and examines the short-term variations in PGE levels in road dusts and roadside soils (Whiteley 2005) in order to evaluate the seasonal patterns of PGE accumulation and provide a shortterm assessment of potential negative effects on humans and the environment.…”

Platinum‐Group Metals

“…In early times, Pt concentrations measured in a precious metal processing site ranged from 0.9 to 1700 mg m À3 (Fothergill et al 1945). Today, PGM emissions are partly industrially based; for example, 92 kg Pt per year are emitted into the environment in Germany from the catalytic oxidation of NH 3 in nitric acid production (Beck et al 1995), while Zereini et al (1998) reported elevated Pt and Pd concentrations in soils near PGM processing plants that were approximately 15-fold higher than the geogenic background. In a recent review, Helmers and Kümmerer (2000) summarized as the main anthropogenic sources of Pt, emissions from automobile catalysts and discharges from hospitals, which use Pt-based anti-cancer drugs and release part of them into municipal sewage.…”

Graphene Oxide–Antimony Nanocomposite Sensor for Analysis of Platinum Group Metals in Roadside Soil Samples

“…The high demand for on-site monitoring of these metals in environmental matrices has attracted much attention from researchers since the concentration is still very low at present [16]. Moreover, in samples of complex composition, the determination of these elements is still a special challenge to trace element analysis [17][18][19].…”