Seasonal variability of platinum, palladium and rhodium (PGE) levels in road dusts and roadside soils, perth, western australia

The emission of Platinum–group elements (PGE) from automobile catalytic converters has led to rapid increases in Pt, Pd and Rh concentrations in roadside media. This paper examines the temporal variability of PGE levels in road dusts and roadside soils on a seasonal basis over a 12 month period. Road dust and roadside soil samples were analysed by ICP–MS following microwave digestion and cation exchange. Concentrations of PGE in all road dust and roadside soil samples are elevated above local background concentrations with maximum levels of Pt−440 ng g−1, Rh−91 ng g−1 and Pd−440 ng g−1. Systematic seasonal variations in PGE levels are observed in both sample types and the temporal distribution of PGE levels is affected by a number of factors including surface morphology and rainfall. PGE ratios in road dusts and soils are consistent with known catalytic converter composition throughout the sampling period indicating the PGE remain associated during mobilisation and transport.