Major and trace element contamination of short-term snow cover during and after a dust storm and analysis by ICP-OES

Abstract

The levels of major and trace elements are key data for evaluating the toxicity of potential particulate matter and for identifying pollution sources. From this point of view, snow is considered an ideal matrix to observe deposition from the atmosphere due to environmental and anthropogenic activities. This work has demonstrated that major and trace element levels of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, and Zn were found in snow precipitation sampled during and after a dust storm in and around Diyarbakir city, SE Anatolia, Turkey. A simple methodological approach consisting of surface snow sampling and analysis by ICP-OES provides information about the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of atmospheric precipitation. The concentrations of toxic metals were found at high levels and are therefore a threat to human health. In particular, the concentrations for Fe and Al were significantly higher than for the other elements.