Fluxes and Loading of Heavy Metals, Benzo[a]pyrene and Oil Products in Vilnius City

Abstract

The concentrations of heavy metals Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn and Hg, benzo[a]pyrene and oil products (C 15 -C 28 ) in bulk (wet and dry) atmospheric deposition in Vilnius city in 2005-2006 were analysed. The highest flux to the ground surface of the city residential area, reaching 1,680 mg m −2 year −1 , was determined for oil products, which in atmospheric bulk deposition was estimated to be mainly in the form of solid sediments. Among heavy metals, the highest flux was determined for Zn (113.5 mg m −2 year −1 ), while the lowest flux was determined for Hg (0.06 mg m −2 year −1 ). The flux of investigated pollutants ranges from a few times, or for some pollutants, up to one order of magnitude higher at the urban sampling site in comparison to residential or background sites. Some hundred tons of oil products, approximately 52 tons of zinc and a considerably lower amount of mercury, benzo[a]pyrene and cadmium deposit yearly to the ground and water surface of Vilnius city. Metallic constructions related to transport and buildings, automobile exhausts, spills of fuel and lubricants are suggested to be the factors which result in the accumulation of high amounts of heavy metals, oil products and other pollutants on the ground surface of the city.

Trace Metal Concentration and Speciation in Storm Water Runoff on Impervious Surfaces

“…The observed similarity with the order of mass concentrations calculated for trace metal accumulation on the ground surface of a residential site in Vilnius in the work by Milukaitė et al (2008) suggests that atmospheric deposition played a leading role in the pollutant build-up on the investigated surfaces. Therefore, atmospheric deposition was assumed to be a significant source of trace metal pollution for the area of Vingio Park.…”

“…in 2000, road transport was the largest source (97%) of the emissions into the atmosphere generated by mobile pollution sources in Lithuania (Baltrėnas et al 2004). in addition, Milukaitė et al (2008) have observed a close relationship between Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and oil products in atmospheric deposition, suggesting that traffic represents the major source of pollution that can affect the chemical composition of atmospheric depositions in Vilnius. in addition, Milukaitė et al (2008) have observed a close relationship between Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and oil products in atmospheric deposition, suggesting that traffic represents the major source of pollution that can affect the chemical composition of atmospheric depositions in Vilnius.…”

“…power stations), erosion of building materials and transportation are among the main sources of pollutants in SWR (Sabin et al 2005;Göbel et al 2007;Milukaitė et al 2008). Traffic, industry and energy emissions (e.g.…”

Quaternary Interglacial Sediments as Possible Natural Sources of Arsenic and Molybdenum Anomalies in Stream Sediments in Lithuania

“…focus on urban areas is understandable, because of their high heavy metal fluxes (Milukaitė et al 2008). Elevated contents of harmful chemical elements in topsoil of the country also often have been explained by anthropogenic reasons (e.g.…”

Ecotoxicity and genotoxicity relating to fish in wastewaters discharged from the Vilnius treatment plant

“…The methods of determination and quality control for B(a)P and oil products were described by Milukaite et al (2008). The average hardness of control water was approximately 284 mg/l as CaCO 3 , pH ranged from 7.6 to 7.8.…”