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Heavy Metal Contents and Magnetic Properties of Playground Dust in Hong Kong

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 89, pages 221–232 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

This study examined the levels of seven heavy metals (namelyzinc, copper, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and iron) andtheir associations with magnetic properties in playground dustof Hong Kong. Results showed that the playground dust containedhigh concentrations of Zn (mean = 1883 μg g-1), Cu(mean = 143 μg g-1) and Cr (mean = 263 μg g-1).Qualitative examination of dust samples under microscope indicated local traffic as one of the important pollutant sources. Magnetic measurements indicated that these anthropogenicpollutants mainly consisted of coarse-grained multidomain (MD) ferrimagnetic minerals. Superparamagnetic (SP), stable single domain (SSD) ferrimagnetic grains and non-ferrimagnetic mineralswere present in relatively small amounts. Significant correlations between heavy metals and various magnetic parametersindicated a strong affinity of heavy metals to magnetic minerals hence pointed out the potential of magnetic properties for simpleand rapid proxy indications of heavy metal pollution in playground dust.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong

    Sai Leung Ng, Kin Che Lam & Wing Kan Chan

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

    Lung Sang Chan

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  1. Sai Leung Ng
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  2. Lung Sang Chan
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  3. Kin Che Lam
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  4. Wing Kan Chan
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Correspondence to Sai Leung Ng.

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Ng, S.L., Chan, L.S., Lam, K.C. et al. Heavy Metal Contents and Magnetic Properties of Playground Dust in Hong Kong. Environ Monit Assess 89, 221–232 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026103318778

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026103318778

  • heavy metals
  • Hong Kong
  • magnetic properties
  • playground dust