scholarly journals Atmospheric trace metals measured at a regional background site (Welgegund) in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 4251-4263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew D. Venter ◽  
Pieter G. van Zyl ◽  
Johan P. Beukes ◽  
Micky Josipovic ◽  
Johan Hendriks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Trace Metals ◽  
Trace Metal ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Metal Species ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Igneous Complex ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Bushveld Igneous Complex

Abstract. Atmospheric trace metals can cause a variety of health-related and environmental problems. Only a few studies on atmospheric trace metal concentrations have been conducted in South Africa. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine trace metal concentrations in aerosols collected at a regional background site, i.e. Welgegund, South Africa. PM1, PM1–2. 5 and PM2. 5–10 samples were collected for 13 months, and 31 atmospheric trace metal species were detected. Atmospheric iron (Fe) had the highest concentrations in all three size fractions, while calcium (Ca) was the second-most-abundant species. Chromium (Cr) and sodium (Na) concentrations were the third- and fourth-most-abundant species, respectively. The concentrations of the trace metal species in all three size ranges were similar, with the exception of Fe, which had higher concentrations in the PM1 size fraction. With the exception of titanium (Ti), aluminium (Al) and manganese (Mg), 70 % or more of the trace metal species detected were in the smaller size fractions, which indicated the influence of industrial activities. However, the large influence of wind-blown dust was reflected by 30 % or more of trace metals being present in the PM2. 5–10 size fraction. Comparison of trace metals determined at Welgegund to those in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex indicated that at both locations similar species were observed, with Fe being the most abundant. However, concentrations of these trace metal species were significantly higher in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex. Fe concentrations at the Vaal Triangle were similar to levels thereof at Welgegund, while concentrations of species associated with pyrometallurgical smelting were lower. Annual average Ni was 4 times higher, and annual average As was marginally higher than their respective European standard values, which could be attributed to regional influence of pyrometallurgical industries in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex. All three size fractions indicated elevated trace metal concentrations coinciding with the end of the dry season, which could partially be attributed to decreased wet removal and increases in wind generation of particulates. Principal component factor analysis (PCFA) revealed four meaningful factors in the PM1 size fraction, i.e. crustal, pyrometallurgical-related and Au slimes dams. No meaningful factors were determined for the PM1–2. 5 and PM2. 5–10 size fractions, which was attributed to the large influence of wind-blown dust on atmospheric trace metals determined at Welgegund. Pollution roses confirmed the influence of wind-blown dust on trace metal concentrations measured at Welgegund, while the impact of industrial activities was also substantiated.

scholarly journals Atmospheric trace metals measured at a regional background site (Welgegund) in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew D. Venter ◽  
Pieter G. van Zyl ◽  
Johan P. Beukes ◽  
Micky Josipovic ◽  
Johan Hendriks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Trace Metals ◽  
Trace Metal ◽  
Size Fraction ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Metal Species ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Igneous Complex ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
Bushveld Igneous Complex

Abstract. Atmospheric trace metals can cause a variety of health-related and environmental problems. Only a few studies on atmospheric trace metal concentrations have been conducted in South Africa. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine trace metals concentrations in aerosols collected at Welgegund, South Africa. PM1, PM1–2.5 and PM2.5–10 samples were collected for 13 months and 31 atmospheric trace metal species were detected. Atmospheric iron (Fe) had the highest concentrations in all three size fractions, while calcium (Ca) was the second most abundant species. Chromium (Cr) and sodium (Na) concentrations were the third and fourth most abundant species, respectively. The concentrations of the trace metal species in all three size ranges were similar, with the exception of Fe that had higher concentrations in the PM1 size fraction. With the exception of titanium (Ti), aluminium (Al) and manganese (Mg), 70 % or more of the trace metal species detected were in the smaller size fractions, which indicated the influence of industrial activities. However, the large influence of wind-blown dust was reflected by 30 % and more of trace metals being present in the PM2.5–10 size fraction. Comparison of trace metals determined at Welgegund to those in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex indicated that at both locations similar species were observed with Fe being the most abundant. However, concentrations of these trace metal species were significantly higher in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex. Fe concentrations at the Vaal Triangle were similar to levels thereof at Welgegund, while concentrations of species associated pyrometallurgical smelting were lower. Annual average Ni was four times higher and annual average As was marginally higher than their respective European standards limit values, which could be attributed to regional influence of pyrometallurgical industries in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex. All three size fractions indicated elevated trace metal concentrations coinciding with the end of the dry season, which could partially be attributed to decreased wet removal and increases in wind generation of particulates. Principal component factor analysis (PCFA) revealed four meaningful factors in the PM1 size fraction, i.e. crustal, pyrometallurgical-related and Au slimes dams. No meaningful factors were determined for the PM1–2.5 and PM2.5–10 size fractions, which was attributed to the large influence of wind-blown dust on atmospheric trace metals determined at Welgegund. Pollution roses confirmed the influence of wind-blown dust on trace metal concentrations measured at Welgegund, while the impact of industrial activities was also substantiated.

scholarly journals Assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 110 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan P. Beukes ◽  
Grizelda du Toit ◽  
Desmond Mabaso ◽  
Johan Hendriks ◽  
Ville Vakkari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Trace Metals ◽  
Igneous Complex ◽  
Bushveld Igneous Complex

scholarly journals Evaluation of Trace Metal Profile inCymbopogon validusandHyparrhenia hirtaUsed as Traditional Herbs from Environmentally Diverse Region of Komga, South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babalwa Tembeni ◽  
Opeoluwa O. Oyedeji ◽  
Ikechukwu P. Ejidike ◽  
Adebola O. Oyedeji
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Trace Metals ◽  
Trace Metal ◽  
Metal Concentration ◽  
Trace Metal Concentration ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Permissible Limits

FAAS was used for the analysis of trace metals in fresh and dry plant parts ofCymbopogon validusandHyparrhenia hirtaspecies with the aim of determining the trace metals concentrations in selected traditional plants consumed in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The trace metal concentration (mg/kg) in the samples of dryCymbopogon validusleaves (DCVL) showed Cu of12.40±1.000; Zn of2.42±0.401; Fe of2.50±0.410; Mn of1.31±0.210; Pb of3.36±0.401 mg/kg, while the samples of freshHyparrhenia hirtaflowers (FHHF) gave Cu of9.77±0.610; Zn of0.70±0.200; Fe of2.11±0.200; Mn of1.15±0.080; Pb of3.15±0.100 mg/kg. Abundance of metal concentrations follows the order: Cu > Fe > Pb > Mn > Zn in the flower samples ofCymbopogon validusandHyparrhenia hirtaspecies. The concentrations of trace metals in both plant parts were below the permissible limits (PL) set by WHO. It is suggested that pharmacovigilance be carried out periodically to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of various herbal products.

scholarly journals Significance of building and plumbing specifics on trace metal concentrations in drinking water

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 893-903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inderjit Singh ◽  
Donald S. Mavinic
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Trace Metals ◽  
Trace Metal ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
First Flush ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Building Height ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Family House

Samples were taken from 72 high-rise apartment suites (6 suites in 12 individual high-rise towers) and 60 single-family houses located within the Greater Vancouver Regional District. The influence of the following factors on trace metal concentrations in 1-L first-flush drinking water samples and “running” hot water samples was investigated: building height, location, plumbing age, type of plumbing, and type of building. Results of this survey show that with the exception of building height, all factors had a correlation with one or more of the trace metals investigated. The trace metals examined were lead, copper, iron, and zinc. Lead was influenced primarily by building type, copper by plumbing age and type of plumbing, and iron by location. Elevated lead levels were associated with high-rise samples. New copper plumbing systems resulted in high copper levels. Highest iron levels in the drinking water were measured in the East Vancouver location. Zinc did not show a distinct correlation with any of the factors investigated. Brass faucets were the primary source of zinc in tap water. They also contributed substantially to the lead detected in the 1-L first-flush sample. Metal concentrations measured in the high-rise and house samples were compared with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and the proposed “no-action” level for lead. In high-rise samples, the 0.01 mg/L “no-action” level proposed for lead was exceeded in 43% of the samples, and 62% of the samples exceeded the current 1.0 mg/L MCL standard for copper. In single-family house samples, these values were 47% and 73%, respectively. The average lead concentrations were 0.020 mg/L for all high-rise samples and 0.013 mg/L for house samples. Regulatory levels stated above would still be exceeded in 6% of the cases for lead and 9% of the cases for copper, even after prolonged flushing of the tap in a high-rise building. In all cases associated with single-family houses, flushing the cold water tap for 5 minutes was successful in achieving compliance levels. Key words: aggressive water, compliance, corrosive, drinking water, first-flush, GVRD, high-rise, single-family house, trace metals, USEPA.

A 50-yr Record of Pollution by Nutrients, Trace Metals, and Organic Chemicals in the St Lawrence River

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 1088-1100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Carignan ◽  
Stéphane Lorrain ◽  
Ken Lum
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Trace Metal ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
Organic Chemicals ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Pcb Congeners ◽  
Anthropogenic Inputs ◽  
St Lawrence River

The deposition chronology of algal pigments, organic C, N, P, trace metals, and organic contaminants (PCB congeners, DDD, DDE, Mirex, hexachlorobenzene) is described for two sites in fluvial lakes (St. Francis and St. Louis) of the St. Lawrence River. Pigment concentrations rapidly decrease in the top 10 cm due to degradation, but show a broad secondary peak consistent with higher primary productivity between 1960 and 1975. In Lake St. Francis, deposition of organic C, N, and P peaked between 1950 and 1975. In both lakes, trace metal concentrations reached maximum values between 1960 and 1970 and decreased considerably between 1970 and 1980. At both sites, surficial trace metal concentrations are approaching (within a factor of 3) those observed in preindustrial sediments except Cd, which is still 5–6 times higher. Concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn are inversely related (p < 0.05) to river discharge whereas those of Pb are positively related to discharge. Concentrations of organic contaminants have declined by a factor of 5–10 between the mid-1960's and the early 1980's, except Mirex, which shows no obvious trend with time. Historic trends in pollution by organic chemicals appear to have been influenced not only by changing anthropogenic inputs, but also by river discharge.

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