Atmospheric input of trace metals to Lake Michigan

Abstract

Atmospheric bulk deposition was collected on a monthly basis in the Lake Michigan basin from September 1975 through December 1976 to determine the atmospheric loading of trace elements to Lake Michigan. The sampling network consisted of bulk collectors located at 21 locations in the northern and southern basin. Atmospheric loading rates to Lake Michigan were estimated as (in units of 105 kg yr−1): Al-50; Fe-28; Mn-6.4; Zn-11; Cu-1.2; Pb-6.4; Cd-0.11; Co- <0.25; Ca-798; Mg-155; Na-110; K-64. Atmospheric deposition of all elements measured was greater in the southern basin than in the northern basin as a result of intense urban/industrial activity in the former. The percentage of total atmospheric deposition falling in the southern basin was: Fe-74%, Al-71%; Mn-75%; Zn-67%; Cu-62%; Pb-78%; Cd-74%; Co- ti 56%; Ca-79%; Mg-62%; Na-65%; K-61 %. Atmospheric loading rates reported are in general agreement with estimates made by others from emission inventories and aerosol concentrations. Atmospheric loadings were estimated to represent 10% or more of the total loadings to Lake Michigan from tributary and erosion sources for the trace elements Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb. Also, atmospheric deposition may account for recent accumulations of Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb and Co in southern Lake Michigan surficial sediments. The atmospheric Ph flux to southern Lake Michigan was estimated as ∼1.7 μg sm−2 yr−1 for 1975–1976 which compares favorably with the 1972 anthropogenic Pb flux of 1.3 μg cm−2 yr−1 (total − ∼1.5 μg cm−2 yr−1) as determined from Pb-210 dating (Edgington and Robbins, 1976). The geographical distribution of trace element loading implicates the southern periphery of Lake Michigan as the principal emission source area.