Geochemical characterization and spatial distribution of heavy metals from urban dust in Chetumal, Mexico

Abstract

The first diagnose of heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb) concentrations present in Chetumal, Mexico and its spatial distribution was carried out by analyzing 86 samples of urban dust through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The assessment of the extent of pollution was undertaken by the use of the Mexican Residential Soil Guideline Values, the calculation of the contamination factor and the pollution load index. The results showed concentrations of heavy metals below the Mexican guidelines in the city, except for chromium and lead in a few samples. However, using the contamination factor the concentrations for chromium, lead and copper are exceeded in some samples. The map of pollution load index shows the areas requiring immediate attention from the decision makers.