Heavy metal transport and evolution of atmospheric aerosols in the Antarctic region

Marina-Montes, César; Pérez-Arribas, L.V.; Escudero, Miguel; Anzano, Jesús; Cáceres, J. O.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137702

Cited by 36 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The total atmospheric concentrations of trace metals (Cd, Cu, and Pb) are in good agreement with those previously reported for the same study site, with the only exception of Cu [10,11,13,33], for which values 1 order of magnitude higher were recorded by Toscano et al [10] and Annibaldi et al [11]. A general agreement with our Cd, Cu, and Pb values was observed in studies carried out in other Antarctic areas [4,52,54].…”

Section: Total Metal Concentrations In the Atmosphere Over Terra Nova...supporting

confidence: 93%

“…The environmental effects of aerosols depend on their atmospheric concentration, particle size, and chemical composition. Atmospheric aerosol can be transported from other continents in remote areas, for example, polar regions, through long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT), a phenomenon that is mainly controlled by wind and meteorological conditions [3,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact, besides the well-known Na, Mg, K, and Ca as markers of primary marine aerosol sources [15], or sulfates and ammonium used to detect marine biogenic sources [15,17], several trace elements (Al, La, Ce, Nd) can be employed as valuable indicators of crustal inputs (i.e., soils or mineral dust) [16]. Furthermore, metals such as As, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni are tracers of anthropogenic pollution, in relation to atmospheric emissions [4,10,13]. The investigation of the chemical composition of the Antarctic atmosphere is one of the key points in polar research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seasonal Evolution of the Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Aerosol in Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

et al. 2021

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Atmospheric aerosol samples were collected at Faraglione Camp, 3 km away from the Italian Mario Zucchelli Station (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea), from 1 December 2013 to 2 February 2014. A two-step extraction procedure was applied to characterize the soluble and insoluble components of PM10-bound metals. Samples were analyzed for Al, Fe, Cd, Cu, and Pb by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) and by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (GF-AAS). The mean atmospheric concentrations were (reported as means ± SD) Al 24 ± 3 ng m−3; Fe 23 ± 4 ng m−3; Cd 0.92 ± 0.53 pg m−3; Cu 43 ± 9 pg m−3, and Pb 16 ± 5 pg m−3. The fractionation pattern was metal-specific, with Al, Fe, and Pb mainly present in the insoluble fractions, Cd in the soluble one, and Cu equally distributed between the two fractions. The summer evolution showed overall constant behavior of both fractions for Al and Fe, while a bell-shaped trend was observed for the three trace metals. Cd and Cu showed a bell-shaped evolution involving both fractions. A seasonal increase in Pb occurred only for the insoluble fraction, while the soluble fraction remained almost constant. Sequential extraction and enrichment factors indicated a crustal origin for Al, Fe, and Pb, and additional (marine or anthropogenic) contributions for Cd and Cu. Back trajectory analysis showed a strong contribution of air masses derived from the Antarctic plateau. A potential low contribution from anthropized areas cannot be excluded. Further studies are necessary to better characterize the chemical composition of the aerosol, to discriminate between natural and anthropogenic sources, and to evaluate a quantitative source apportionment.

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Section: Total Metal Concentrations In the Atmosphere Over Terra Nova...supporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seasonal Evolution of the Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Aerosol in Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

et al. 2021

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“…Anthropogenic emissions have surpassed natural emissions for many trace elements (Rauch and Pacyna, 2009). This has affected the global atmospheric cycles of these elements and led to the atmospheric deposition in even the most remote areas (Marina-Montes et al, 2020). Anthropogenic processing can induce redox changes for metals that usually occur only in one oxidation state in the environment (Wiederhold, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Assessment of Copper, Zinc, and Lead Isotopes in Mineral Dust Sources and Aerosols

et al. 2020

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The stable isotope compositions of Cu and Zn in major geochemical reservoirs are increasingly studied with the aim to develop these isotope systems as tools to investigate the global biogeochemical cycles of these trace metals. The objectives of the present study were (i) to expand the range of Cu, Zn, and Pb isotope compositions of mineral dust by analyzing samples from major mineral dust sources in Asia and Africa (Chinese Loess Plateau, Chinese deserts, Thar desert, Sahel region) and (ii) to assess the potential impact of human activities on the isotope composition of aerosols by synthesizing published Cu and Zn isotope compositions in aerosols and natural and anthropogenic sources. For the newly analyzed mineral dust areas in Asia and Africa, δ 65 Cu NIST−976 values range from −0.54 to +0.52‰, δ 66 Zn JMC−Lyon values from −0.07 to +0.57‰, and 206 Pb/ 204 Pb values from 18.522 to 19.696. We find a significant geographic control with samples from the Thar Desert having the heaviest isotopic compositions (δ 65 Cu NIST−976 = +0.48 ± 0.06‰, δ 66 Zn JMC−Lyon = +0.49 ± 0.11‰) and samples from the Sahel and the Badain Jaran desert having the lightest Zn isotope composition (δ 66 Zn JMC−Lyon = +0.19 ± 0.15‰ and +0.07 ± 0.07‰, respectively). We find important variations in the isotope signatures between particle size fractions with heavier isotopic compositions in the smallest and largest particle size fractions and lighter isotopic compositions in the mid particle size fractions. Associations with the mineralogical composition are less clear. Newly analyzed aerosol samples for Beijing and Xi'an show δ 65 Cu NIST−976 values of +0.29 ± 0.19‰ and +0.16 ± 0.04‰, δ 66 Zn JMC−Lyon values of −0.36 ± 0.04‰ and +0.02 ± 0.06‰, and 206 Pb/ 204 Pb values of 18.129 ± 0.003 and 18.031 ± 0.003, respectively. Based on a synthesis of published and novel data, we suggest improved ranges and mean values for the isotopic composition of mineral dust from selected locations in Asia and Africa and of anthropogenic sources such as non-exhaust traffic emissions, combustion, electroplating and galvanization. This should serve as a valuable reference for future studies using these isotope systems. This paper demonstrates univocally that human activity introduces a wide range of Zn isotope compositions into the atmospheric environment and, thus, impacts the biogeochemical cycle of Zn.

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“…A statistically significant correlation between elements indicates a common origin of both, so if the source of one of them is identified, it can be presumed that the other comes from the same source of emission. Statistically significant correlations were found between the major constituents in the PM10 [6] and in the case of the elements present at trace levels, 6 significant correlations were found between them [21]. However, it is unknown if some trace elements are correlated to any of the major components.…”

Section: Correlation Analysismentioning

confidence: 96%

Local and Remote Sources of Airborne Suspended Particulate Matter in the Antarctic Region

et al. 2020

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Quantification of suspended particulate matter (SPM) measurements—together with statistical tools, polar contour maps and backward air mass trajectory analyses—were implemented to better understand the main local and remote sources of contamination in this pristine region. Field campaigns were carried out during the austral summer of 2016–2017 at the “Gabriel de Castilla” Spanish Antarctic Research Station, located on Deception Island (South Shetland Islands, Antarctic). Aerosols were deposited in an air filter through a low-volume sampler and chemically analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Elements such as Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Cu, Pb, Sr, Ti, Zn, Hf, Zr, V, As, Ti, Mn, Sn and Cr were identified. The statistical tools together with their correlations (Sr/Na, Al/Ti, Al/Mn, Al/Sr, Al/Pb, K/P) suggest a potentially significant role of terrestrial inputs for Al, Ti, Mn, Sr and Pb; marine environments for Sr and Na; and biological inputs for K and P. Polar contour graphical maps allowed reproducing wind maps, revealing the biological local distribution of K and P (penguin colony). Additionally, backward trajectory analysis confirmed previous affirmations and atmospheric air masses following the Antarctic circumpolar pattern.

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Heavy metal transport and evolution of atmospheric aerosols in the Antarctic region

Cited by 36 publications

References 35 publications

Seasonal Evolution of the Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Aerosol in Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

Seasonal Evolution of the Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Aerosol in Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

A Global Assessment of Copper, Zinc, and Lead Isotopes in Mineral Dust Sources and Aerosols

Local and Remote Sources of Airborne Suspended Particulate Matter in the Antarctic Region

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