Toxic metals in the air and soil of the Paso del Norte region

Abstract:

In the first of the individual studies that comprise this chapter, air concentrations are presented for four toxic metals—copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr)—based on particulate matter (PM) trapped on filters from eight sampling stations in the Paso del Norte airshed in 1994, 1995, and 1996. One representative low-wind day in each season (spring, summer, fall, and winter) was chosen for analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The resultant data set thus can be interrogated to reveal both geographic and seasonal variation trends in airborne toxic metals. Concentrations of copper, lead, chromium, and arsenic were found to increase during fall and winter, relative to spring and summer. Ground-level atmospheric inversions during the colder seasons in this desert region are believed to trap anthropogenic particulates by preventing vertical mixing. Elevated metal levels characterized

Año de publicación:

2005

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