Increased industry contribution and atmospheric heavy metals from economic recovery in Spain

Abstract

Ten years ago, Spain was hit by a severe economic crisis (2009–2013), while the economy recovered in 2014. In the present study, the source changes of PM 10 from pre- and post-economic crisis to economic recovery were investigated using receptor model (Positive Matrix Factorization : PMF). PM 10 samples were collected during 2014 at six different sites in Andalusia, located in the southern Spain (1–7° W, 37–39° N). Seven source factors were identified as soil dust (17.9–34.8%), road traffic (12.2–25.9%), industrial emission (1.2–16.6%), oil combustion (0–16.1%), sea salt (5.0–15.7%), secondary nitrate (<0.05–30.4%) and secondary sulfate (4.4–15.1%). The soil dust source had the greatest influence on these six stations, followed by the road traffic source. The area was seriously affected by industrial pollution, even to the suburban and rural areas. Industry source contribution showed an increase trend from financial crisis periods to economic recovery, and the contribution in 2014 was even higher than pre-crisis level. As a result, the concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr and Ni) in the atmosphere were significant increased, thus enhanced their toxicity and health risks for people. The economic recovery after the financial crisis in Spain may be at the expense of emission control targets and air pollution. • This work studied the particulate matter compositions and sources in Spain. • Seven source factors were identified by Positive Matrix Factorization model. • Soil dust had the greatest influence in study area, followed by road traffic source. • Industry contribution showed an increase trend from financial crisis to recovery. • Increased industry source resulted to the increases of the atmospheric heavy metals.