Characterization of the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition

Abstract

Atmospheric deposition means the total mass of pollutants which is transferred from the atmosphere to surfaces (e.g. soil, vegetation, water, buildings, etc.) in a given area within a given time. Is considered to be a major process that removes pollutants from the atmosphere and an important source of nutrients and contaminants for ecosystems. Trace elements, especially toxic metals deposited on plants and into soil or water, can cause substantial damage to the environment and human health due to their transfer and accumulation in food chains. This study aimed to determine the amount and the composition of dry deposition in a residential area in Bucharest, organized in summer of 2016, according toDirective 2004/107/EC transposed into Romanian legislation by Law No. 104/2011 regarding the ambient air quality. The dry deposition samples were collected in accordance with SR EN 15841 -2010 Standard. The major elements ( Ca2+, K+, Mg2+) and trace metals (Zn, Fe, Al, Ni, Mn, Cr, Cu, Pb and Cd) were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry equipped with a in graphite furnace and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after acid digestion. Al and Fe were recorded as the dominant metallic elementsin dry deposition followed by Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Cr. This study suggests that earth crust and anthropogenic activities such as motor vehicles were the main sources of dust fall in the study area.