Physicochemical characterization of urban dust in Southern Tamaulipas using X-ray fluorescence

Abstract

Urban dust is composed mostly of particles emitted by anthropogenic processes such as industry, vehicular, and maritime transport, so it may contain heavy metals and PM10 and PM2.5 particles, which affect human health, so its characterization should be taken into account in an environmental monitoring plan. Regarding UD, there are studies about heavy metal contamination conducted in Mexico City (CdMx) and the suburbs of the State of Mexico, but to date, there are none for the Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira. The manuscript describe the elemental distribution found in urban dust and the possible relationship of the detected elements with emission sources according to the meteorological parameters of the area. The study presents the elemental composition of dust particles from 17 samples collected in the January-April 2023 period, at determined points in the Tampico-Madero-Altamira metropolitan area (TMA). The samples were collected in polyethylene bags and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence in air at an energy of 50 kV. There were 21 elements identified in the TMA. Through the Mexican regulation Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (RETC), it was possible to identify and relate some of the detected elements to some elements reported by local companies such as nickel, lead, and chromium. The most frequently detected metals were Ca, Mn, Zr, Sr, Pb, and V. These results indicate that more extensive work is needed to quantify elements such as Ni, Cr, Pb, and V due to the health problems they may cause. Funded by CONAHCYT 2022-321595.