In this study, airborne particulates (PM10) and leaves of horse chestnut were
collected at selected urban sites in Belgrade, Serbia, in years 2006, 2009
and 2012. All samples were analysed for trace element concentrations of As,
Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb. It has been shown that, during the study period, the
differences among PM10 mass trace element concentrations were not
considerable, and that the measured mass and trace elements concentrations
were below the Serbian and EU legislation limits. Highest values of trace
element concentrations in leaves were observed in year 2012, with the
exception of Pb. Lead concentration had a decreasing trend during the whole
studied period, in both PM10 and tree leaves. Since leaded gasoline was
banned in 2011, a possible reason could be an increasing number of vehicles
using unleaded kind along the previous years. Although trace elements in
horse chestnut leaves were accumulated only during summer season, horse
chestnut leaves showed good response to changes in trace element atmospheric
concentrations. However, seasonal variability was evident in trace element
source apportionment due to the lack of stationary heating system influence.
The Principal Component Analysis showed that during the studied period, one
of the major sources of the measured elements was fossil fuel combustion.
Selected trace element concentrations in ambient air and in horse chestnut leaves in Belgrade
