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Levels and Bioaccessibilities of Metals in Dusts from an Arid Environment

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Abstract

The elemental composition and bioaccessibility of trace metals have been determined in a variety of geosolids (soils, road dusts and house dusts) from an arid, coastal region (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia). Concentrations of many elements reflected those of the local geology, ascertained by analysis of desert sand. Several trace metals (e.g. Cu, Sb, Zn, Pb, Tl and Sn) were moderately enriched in both road and house dusts, reflecting external and internal (household) anthropogenic sources. For a given trace metal, bioaccessibilities, assessed using a physiologically based extraction test, were broadly similar across the range of geosolids. Median values for a simulated gastric phase ranged from less than 10% (Ba, Cu, Cr, Ni and V) to more than 50% (As, Cd, Sb, Sn and Tl), and for a subsequently simulated intestinal phase from less than 15% (Ba, Cr, Cu, Ni, V and Zn) to more than 50% (As, Cd, Sb, Tl and U). Results suggest that the levels and bioaccessibilities of trace metals in dusts from arid environments are controlled by the dilution of anthropogenic particulates by variable (but significant) proportions of fine, baseline sand.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Andy Arnold and Andy Fisher (UoP) for technical assistance throughout the study.

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  1. School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK

    Andrew Turner & Bayan Hefzi

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  1. Andrew Turner
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  2. Bayan Hefzi
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Correspondence to Andrew Turner.

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Turner, A., Hefzi, B. Levels and Bioaccessibilities of Metals in Dusts from an Arid Environment. Water Air Soil Pollut 210, 483–491 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0274-7

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