V. Mugica et al., Temporal and spatial variations of metal content in TSP and PM10 in MexicoCity during 1996-1998, J AEROS SCI, 33(1), 2002, pp. 91-102
Metal constituents of filters collected from 1996 through 1998 from five mo
nitoring network stations of Mexico City, were identified using ionization
argon coupled plasma. Nine metals were quantified: cadmium, chromium, coppe
r, manganese, nickel, lead, titanium, iron and vanadium. The statistical an
alysis shows that in general the metal concentration diminished from 1996 t
o 1998 in total suspended particles and PM10 although there are some except
ions. The correlation between TSP and PM10 shows that there is a higher pro
portion of metals in the respirable fraction than in the particles with big
ger diameter. Lead content did not exceed the standard concentration of 1.5
mug/m(3); with an average value of 0.09 in PM10 and 0.17, in TSP and the h
ighest values of this metal were 1.03 and 0.96 for PM10 and TSP, respective
ly, both in January of 1996. The study of size and shape by scanning electr
onic microscopy led us to identify particles from natural soils and clays,
from combustion and from industrial processes. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevi
er Science Ltd.