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Seasonal variations in the chemical composition of particulate matter: a case study in the Po Valley. Part II: concentration and solubility of micro- and trace-elements

  • Heavy Metals in the Environment : Sources, Interactions and Human Health
  • Published:
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Abstract

Size distribution (fine and coarse fraction) and solubility distribution (extracted and residual fraction) of 20 elements (As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Pb, Ni, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, V) in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) were determined during a 5-year field study carried out in the Po Valley (peri-urban area of Ferrara, in Northern Italy). By studying the contribution of the two size fractions and the two solubility fractions to the atmospheric concentration of each element, it was possible to obtain interesting information about the variability of PM sources, to assess the role played by atmospheric stability in determining pollution episodes, and to obtain an estimate of the bio-accessible fraction. Atmospheric stability is confirmed to be one of the main causes of atmospheric pollution in this area and is to be responsible for the pronounced winter increase in both PM and elemental concentration. Long-range transport of natural and polluted air masses caused temporary increases in PM and elemental concentration, while local industrial emission seemed to play a secondary role. Regulated elements were well below their concentration limit, but many toxic elements were in the form of fine particles and soluble chemical species, more accessible to the environment, and the human body.

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Acknowledgments

This study has been funded by HERA s.p.a. We thank the Ferrara Department of the Environmental Protection Agency of the Emilia Romagna for RH and SR data. Thanks are also due to Dr. Mariano Puente Garcia for his valuable suggestions and to Dr. Chiara Giovannelli for her collaboration in the experimental phase. M Catrambone, S. Dalla Torre, E. Rantica, and T. Sargolini, of CNR-IIA are gratefully acknowledged for running the sampling activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, Rome, 00185, Italy

    S. Canepari, M. L. Astolfi, C. Farao, M. Maretto, D. Frasca & M. Marcoccia

  2. C.N.R. Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Via Salaria, Km 29,300, Monterotondo, Rome, 00015, Italy

    S. Canepari & C. Perrino

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  1. S. Canepari
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  2. M. L. Astolfi
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  3. C. Farao
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  4. M. Maretto
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  6. M. Marcoccia
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  7. C. Perrino
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Correspondence to S. Canepari.

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Responsible editor: Céline Guéguen

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Canepari, S., Astolfi, M.L., Farao, C. et al. Seasonal variations in the chemical composition of particulate matter: a case study in the Po Valley. Part II: concentration and solubility of micro- and trace-elements. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 4010–4022 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-2298-1

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