Abstract
The size of particles mainly determines where the particle is deposited in the respiratory system, whereas the composition determines the type of body response. This study analyses Total Suspended Particles (TSP), Particulate Matter with aerodynamic diameter up to 10 micron (PM_(10)) and 2.5 micron (PM_(2.5)) and their chemical compositions. TSP, PM_(10) and PM_(2.5) samples were collected from August 2012 to September 2013 in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Composition of PM was analysed, focusing on heavy metals, cations and anions. The heavy metals considered in this study were Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Vanadium (V), Arsenic (As), Mercury (Hg) and Aluminium (Al). Cations and anions considered were Chloride (Cl^-), Bromide (Br^-), Fluoride (F^-), Ammonium (NH_4^+), Phosphate (PO_4^(3-)), Sulphate (SO_4^(2-)), Nitrate (NO_3^-) and Nitrite (NO_2^-). Average TSP, PM_(10) and PM_(2.5) (μg m^(-3)) levels were 366.38, 233.38 and 143.49, respectively. The ratios of PM_(2.5)/PM_(10), PM_(2.5)/TSP and PM_(10)/TSP were 0.61, 0.39, and 0.64, respectively. NO_3^- and SO_4^(2-) were the most abundant anions in all three types of PM. NO_3^- contents (%) were 28.53, 39.79, and 30.77 in TSP, PM_(10) and PM_(2.5), whereas SO_4^(2-) contents (%) were 22.52, 17.02 and 21.37, respectively. In TSP and PM_(2.5), As showed the highest content, which was about 42% and 43%, whereas in PM_(10), Al showed the highest content (47%).
Highlights
Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) is considered an important air quality issue due to the complex nature of its composition, growing levels in urban areas, and various health and environmental impacts
Habeebullah (2013) further reported that PM10 had different weekly cycle than the rest of the traffic related pollutants, which was due to the fact that PM concentration is more related to the arid nature of the region, wind speed and wind direction rather than traffic flow
Annual cycles (Fig. 2- lower) of Total Suspended Particles (TSP), PM10 and PM2.5 showed different trends and peaks levels were observed in different months
Summary
Atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM) is considered an important air quality issue due to the complex nature of its composition, growing levels in urban areas, and various health and environmental impacts. PM has both long and short-term effects on human health, such as cardiovascular, lung and skin diseases, which sometimes lead to premature death (Krewski et al, 2000). Particles smaller in size are considered more harmful in terms of their adverse impacts on human health (Habeebullah et al, 2014a). Fine particles go deeper into the respiratory system and, cause more health problems than coarse particles (Habeebullah, 2013). PM monitoring, modelling, investigating their chemical composition, and studying their health and environmental impacts have become a routine part of the air quality management programme
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