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Organic compounds and heavy metals in the atmosphere of the city of Caracas, Venezuela — I: Atmospheric particles

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Abstract

Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, fatty acids and heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe and Cd) were analyzed in atmospheric particulate matter in the city of Caracas, Venezuela. Samples were taken from 6 stations within the metropolitan area of Caracas, characterized as industrial (one), urban (two), suburban (two) and rural (one). In addition, the concentration and composition of the organic compounds was monitored over a 5 month period at an urban site to determine seasonal and temporal variabilities.

In general terms, the concentrations of pollutants decreased from industrial and urban sites to suburban to rural. A similar trend was observed for preliminary toxicity tests carried out on the particulate extracts. The concentration levels of most of the pollutants were high for the industrial and urban sites, and comparable with those of other major cities worldwide.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Química, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Apartado 89000, 1080-A, Caracas, Venezuela

    Rudolf Jaffé, Hermes Carrero, Aivlé Cabrera & José Alvarado

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  1. Rudolf Jaffé
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  2. Hermes Carrero
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  3. Aivlé Cabrera
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  4. José Alvarado
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Jaffé, R., Carrero, H., Cabrera, A. et al. Organic compounds and heavy metals in the atmosphere of the city of Caracas, Venezuela — I: Atmospheric particles. Water Air Soil Pollut 71, 293–313 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00480551

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00480551

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