Distribution of Trace Metals in Street Dusts and Tree Leaves and Their Source Identification in a Mid-Populated Anatolian City

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2020 Jul;105(1):103-110. doi: 10.1007/s00128-020-02882-1. Epub 2020 May 21.

Abstract

Sivas is a central Anatolian city in Turkey with mid-population. Due to its geographical structure high air pollution episodes can be observed in the atmosphere of Sivas. A study with city wide sampling campaign can help to identify the possible sources. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the multi-elemental and multi-point analysis of trace metals in street dusts and tree leaves in Sivas. In the street dusts, Ca concentration was > 10%. Fe, Cl, and K contribution was 2.5%, 1.75%, and 1.1%, respectively. The average S and Ti concentrations were between 1 and 10 mg/g, I, Mn, Sr, Cr, V, Ba, Zn, Ni, Zr, and Cu were between 1 and 0.1 mg/g, and W, Pb, Sn, Th, Rb, Sb, Co, Bi, As, U were between 0.1 and 0.01 mg/g, in the ascending order. The same elements were investigated for vegetation. Ca, K, S, and Cl were the elements with highest contribution.

Keywords: Leaf; PCA; Source identification; Street dust; Trace metal.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Cities
  • Dust / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Geography
  • Metals / analysis
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Trace Elements / analysis*
  • Trees
  • Turkey

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Dust
  • Metals
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Trace Elements