Evaluation of Sources and Patterns of Elemental Composition of PM2.5 at Three Low-Income Neighborhood Schools and Residences in Quito, Ecuador

 

Authors
Armijos Moreta, Rodrigo Xavier; Weigel, Mary Margaret
Format
Article
Status
publishedVersion
Description

Elemental characterization of fine particulate matter was undertaken at schools and residences in three low income neighborhoods in Quito, Ecuador. The three zones were located in the northern (Cotocollao), south central (El Camal), and south east (Los Chillos) neighborhoods and were classified as zones 1?3, respectively. Forty elements were quantified via ICP-MS analysis. Amongst the geogenic elements, the concentration of Si was the most abundant followed by S, Al, and Ca. Elements with predominantly anthropogenic sources such as Zn, V, and Ni were higher in zone 3 school followed by zone 2 and zone 1 schools. Enrichment factors were calculated to study the role of crustal sources in the elemental concentrations. Geogenic elements, except K, all had values <10 and anthropogenic elements such as Ni, V, Zn, Pb, As, Cr had >10. Principal Component Analysis suggested that Ni and V concentrations were strongly attributable to pet coke and heavy oil combustion. Strong associations between As and Pb could be attributed to traffic and other industrial emissions. Resuspended dust, soil erosion, vehicular emissions (tailpipe, brake and tire wear, and engine abrasion), pet coke, heavy oil combustion, and heavy industrial operations were major contributors to air pollution.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551112/

Publication Year
2017
Language
eng
Topic
ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION
PM2.5
ENRICHMENT FACTORS
PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS
SCHOOLS
RESIDENCES
QUITO
Repository
Repositorio SENESCYT
Get full text
http://repositorio.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/handle/28000/5104
Rights
openAccess
License
openAccess