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Analysis of the seasonal and fractional variability of metals bearing particles in an urban environment and their inhalability

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Abstract

This study aimed to calculate size-fractionated PM-bound metals concentration (Co, V, Ni, Cu, Mn, As, Cd, Pb, Cr and Hg) in a European hot spot area in terms of PM air pollution (Zabrze, Poland) and to show their deposition ratios in human airways. Additionally, meteorological data was used to conclude the probable influence of atmospheric conditions on the variability of the PM mass concentrations in different periods of the year. Data regarding the elemental composition of size-fractionated PM in various regions of Poland was also presented. The determination of the selected metals in PM-fractionated samples (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) was performed in two periods – the heating and non-heating season. It was found that metals were primarily associated with particles less than 1 µm, however, the PM size distribution had shown bi-modal characteristics and the maxima of metal mass distribution occurred in both submicron and fine modes. High PM1 mass loadings, observed especially in the non-heating season were probably due to an influx of fine and even smaller particles from traffic sources. Metals distributions as well as respiratory deposition ratios for PM-bound elements calculated using the MPPD V2.11 model favored nasal and head deposition. The overall mass deposition of metals in the respiratory tract of adults was: 0.39 (Head region, H); 0.07 (Tracheobronchial region, TB); 0.16 (Pulmonary region, P) respectively. No matter the season, the highest inhalable concentrations of metals were found for Cu, Mn, Cr and Pb. Only Cr and Pb are classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic (according to IARC classification).

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financed under the subsidy for basic statutory activity no. 1a – 119/2020 “Temporal and spatial variability of the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols as a tool for assessing the effects of implementing air protection programs in Poland”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, 34 M. Skłodowska-Curie St, 41-819, Zabrze, Poland

    Kamila Widziewicz-Rzońca, Halina Pyta, Krzysztof Słaby, Barbara Błaszczak, Patrycja Rogula-Kopiec, Barbara Mathews, Monika Błaszczak & Krzysztof Klejnowski

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  1. Kamila Widziewicz-Rzońca
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  2. Halina Pyta
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  3. Krzysztof Słaby
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  4. Barbara Błaszczak
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  7. Monika Błaszczak
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  8. Krzysztof Klejnowski
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study design. Material preparation, the concept of the manuscript, full description, and analysis were performed by [Kamila Widziewicz-Rzońca], data collection was performed by [Halina Pyta and Krzysztof Słaby], samples preparation, gravimetric analyses, and data management was coordinated by [Barbara Mathews together with Monika Błaszczak and Patrycja-Rogula-Kopiec]. The first draft of the manuscript was written by [Kamila Widziewicz-Rzońca] and consulted with [Barbara Błaszczak]. Funding acquisition was supervised by [Krzysztof Klejnowski]. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kamila Widziewicz-Rzońca.

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Widziewicz-Rzońca, K., Pyta, H., Słaby, K. et al. Analysis of the seasonal and fractional variability of metals bearing particles in an urban environment and their inhalability. J Atmos Chem 80, 77–101 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-022-09438-z

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