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[Distribution Characteristics and Source Analysis of Dustfall Trace Elements During Winter in Beijing]
Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue
|November 24, 2015
Summary
Winter dustfall in Beijing contains high levels of heavy metals, exceeding soil background values. Human activities significantly contribute to this pollution, with sources including crustal dust and fossil fuel combustion.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Dustfall composition is a key indicator of atmospheric pollution.
- Trace elements, particularly heavy metals in dustfall, pose risks to ecosystems and human health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trace element distribution and heavy metal pollution in winter dustfall in Beijing.
- To identify the sources of heavy metals in Beijing's winter dustfall.
Main Methods:
- Collection and analysis of 49 dustfall samples from Beijing and surrounding areas (November 2013-March 2014).
- Measurement of 40 trace elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
- Source apportionment using Pearson correlation, Kendall correlation coefficient, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA).
Main Results:
- Seven elements (Pb, Zr, Cr, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba) exceeded 100 mg x kg(-1).
- Pb, Cu, Zn, Bi, Cd, and Mo levels in dustfall were significantly higher (up to 8.62 times) than in surface soil, exceeding background values by over 300%.
- Human activities contributed more to dustfall heavy metal content in Beijing than in surrounding regions.
Conclusions:
- Winter dustfall in Beijing is heavily influenced by human activities.
- Primary sources identified include earth's crust (road dust, construction dust, remote dust) and fossil fuel combustion (vehicle emissions, coal, biomass, industrial processes).
