Transition metals concentration within the PM10 fraction of atmospheric suspended particulate matter – case study, Craiova, 2021

Abstract

The current case study had the main purpose of determining and reporting the concentrations of the most toxic transition metals present in the composition of the particles suspended in the atmosphere, namely: lead, nickel, arsenic and cadmium. In the collection of experimental data, the fraction of suspended particulate matter represented by inhalable particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 microns (PM10) was studied, by taking, during two weeks within different seasons of the year 2021, two set of seven filters, each used for one day – from an area of heavy traffic, on one of the main arteries of the municipality of Craiova, near a continuous air quality monitoring station capable of monitoring PM10. Thus, it was possible to permanently compare the results obtained through this application with the official data – registered during the same time intervals – by the local division of the EPA, founding a remarkable data concordance.