Influence of traffic on the elemental composition of PM10 and PM2.5 in Oporto region

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2007

Authors

K. Slezakova (Author) Other; M. A. Reis (Author) Other; M. C. Pereira (Author) FEUP; Conceição Alvim Ferraz (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Air Pollution XV

Pages: 59-68

15th International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Air Pollution

Algarve, Portugal, April 23-25, 2007

Indexing

ISI Proceedings

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science

Associated Projects

Gulbenkian 60415 - Partículas suspensas no ar exterior e interior: caracterização para suporte de estudos epidemiológicos

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-CD2

DOI: 10.2495/air070061

Abstract (EN): The aim of this work was to study the influence of traffic emissions on the physical and chemical characteristics of PM10 and PM2.5, namely considering: concentration, size distribution and elemental composition. Four monitoring sites in the north of Portugal were selected: two sites directly influenced by traffic emissions and two rural background sites. PM10 and PM2.5 samples were collected using low-volume samplers; the element analyses were performed by particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE). At the sites influenced by traffic emissions PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were 7-9 and 6-7 times higher than at the background sites. The presence of 17 elements (Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb) was determined in both PM fractions; particle metal contents were 3-44 and 3-27 times higher for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively, than at the backgrounds sites. The results also showed that in coastal areas sea salt sprays are important sources of particles, influencing PM concentration and distributions (PM10 increased by 46%, PM2.5/PM10 decreased by 26%), as well as PM compositions (Cl in PM10 was 11 times higher).

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10