Geochemical and isotopic analyses of PM10 in Lower Silesia - preeliminary data

Abstract

Abstract The main aim of the study was to determine the origin of particulate air pollution in Lower Silesia. Samples of PM10 dust were collected on quartz filters Whatman QM-A by employees of Voivodship Inspectorate for Environmental Protection (VIEP) in Wroclaw in 2011. As a pilot researches in Lower Silesia were selected two monitoring points of VIEP: (i) Osieczow and (ii) Zgorzelec. Air sampling point in Osieczow is a point of regional background and it is an excellent reference base for the analyses of PM10 in Lower Silesia. The aim of monitoring in this point is to assess the exposure of ecosystems to air pollution. Sampling point in Zgorzelec reflects the urban background and the measurements will be compared, in the future, to the results of the sampling points investigated the impact of industry and local transport on air quality in the whole Lower Silesia. For further geochemical and isotopic analyses were selected 25 samples from each sampling point, average every two weeks measurement. The concentration of PM10 dust for Osieczow ranged from 7 μg∙m-3 (11.10.2011r.) to 89 μg∙m-3 (4.03.2011r.) with an average of 24 μg∙m-3 and for Zgorzelec between 10 μg∙m-3 (11.10.2011r.) and 85 μg∙m-3 (9.11.2011r.) with an average of 26 μg∙m-3. The mean percentage contribution of carbon in PM10 samples from Osieczow was 47%, while in Zgorzelec 42%. The obtained values of δ03C (PM10) in Osieczow varied from -31.1‰ (5.02.2011r.) to -25.5‰ (26.10.2011r.) with an average of -27.6‰, whereas in Zgorzelec between -28.6‰ (15.07.2011r.) and -25.2‰ (6.01.2011r.) with an average of -26.8‰. At the current stage of research is clearly discernible the different carbon isotope record in the material dust (qualitative information), despite the identical range of concentrations of PM10 in both analysed points (quantitative information). This confirms the appropriateness of the choice both research method and monitoring points.