Atmospheric Heavy Metals in the Industrial Area North Cairo, Egypt
A. A. Shakour, M. A. Hassanien and N. M. El-Taieb
Air Pollution Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
Corresponding author: Dr. Mahmoud A. Hassanien
Air Pollution Department, National Research Center,
Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
Fax number: +202 337 0931
E-mail adress: mahmoud_hassanien@hotmail.com
CEJOEM 2001, Vol.7. Nos.3-4.:245-252
Key words:
Atmospheric pollution, suspended dust, deposition rate, settling velocities, heavy metals
Abstract:
Samples of particulate matter (suspended and deposited dust) were collected from the industrial
area (Shoubra El-Kheima) North Cairo, Egypt. The samples were analysed for heavy metals (Cd, Cr,
Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) by using flame and flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. Current
emissions of heavy metals to the atmosphere were assessed. The obtained data showed that the
particulate matter in the investigated area contained elevated concentrations of Fe, Pb, and Zn.
For Fe and Zn the values detected were 11.95 and 13.8 µg•m-3 in suspnded dust and 3751.6±1590.4
and 759.9±304.4 µg•m-2•d-1 in deposited dust, respectively. Pb showed
concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 8.6 µg•m-3 (mean = 4.1 µg•m-3) in
suspended particulate that exceeded both the Egyptian and international standards. Its deposition
rate ranged from 78.5 to 785.3 µg•m-2•d-1 (310.2±216.4 µg•m-2•d-1).
On the other hand, Cd showed the lowest concentration of 0.075 µg•m-3 and its deposition
rate ranged from 4.7 to 19.5 µg•m-2•d-1. It could be concluded that the industrial
emission was the major source of heavy metals in the atmosphere of the area investigated.
Received: 11 September 2001
Accepted: 07 November 2001
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