Characteristics of heavy metals in airborne particulate matter on misty and clear days

This study identified characteristics of heavy metals in ambient total suspended particulates (TSP) and air pollutants (PM10, CO, NOx, SO2 and O-3) collected on clear and misty days at an urban-residential area and an industrial area in the largest industrial city. Korea, for one-year study period. Average concentrations of TSP at the urban-residential (130 mu g/m(3)) and industrial (141 mu g/m(3)) areas on misty days were 1.9-2.1 (p<0.05) times higher than those on clear days. Concentrations of heavy metals in the TSP from both areas on misty days were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those on clear days. In particular, Pb and Mn concentrations on misty days were 2.4-2.6 (p<0.05) and 1.7-1.8 (p<0.05) times, respectively, higher at both areas as compared to clear days. Clear days showed higher correlations between TSP and heavy metal concentrations than on misty days at both areas. Average concentrations of PM10, CO and NO2 simultaneously measured at/near the sampling sites on misty days were significantly (p<0.05) higher than on clear days at both areas. Average O-3 and SO2 concentrations showed a similar increase pattern at only one area. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.