The use of multi-criteria method in the process of threat assessment to the environment

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek,Zygmunt Korban

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-97939-4

Elwira Zajusz-Zubek, Zygmunt Korban

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97939-4

Copy DOI

Journal: Scientific Reports	Publication Date: Sep 14, 2021
Citations: 1	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Silesian University of Technology

Abstract

Measurements of the content of trace elements, including toxic and carcinogenic metals, in various fractions of particulate matter PM are an important element of environmental monitoring and research involving their impact on human health. The article presents the measurement results of atmospheric composition of suspended dust (PM10), respirable fraction (PM2.5) and submicron particulate matter (PM1) collected with the Dekati PM10 cascade impactor. Samples were collected in the vicinity of four working power plants (from 28 May to 23 September 2014) and four coking plants (from 4 May to 28 August 2015) in Upper Silesia, Poland. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the solutions: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb) and selenium (Se) obtained for individual fractions was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, using the apparatus ICP-MS. The research results were used to determine a synthetic assessment of the threat to the anthropogenic environment and for the preparation of the ranking of the measured points.

Highlights

Measurements of the content of trace elements, including toxic and carcinogenic metals, in various fractions of particulate matter PM are an important element of environmental monitoring and research involving their impact on human health
In the last 20–30 years the emissions to the atmosphere from main anthropogenic sources have been significantly reduced both in Europe and in Poland
With respect to elements selected for the research (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and Se), according to the above-mentioned classification, group 1 comprises: arsenic, chromium, cadmium and nickel; group 2: cobalt and lead; and group 3 contains selenium

Summary

Introduction

Measurements of the content of trace elements, including toxic and carcinogenic metals, in various fractions of particulate matter PM are an important element of environmental monitoring and research involving their impact on human health. Worldwide and in Poland, there has been a growing interest in the impact of trace elements (including toxic and carcinogenic metals) contained in various fractions of particulate matter (PM) on environmental pollution and human health (in terms of the aerodynamic diameter of dust particles, we can distinguish: total suspended particles TSP, inhalable dust P M10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm), respirable fraction PM2.5 (dust with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) and submicron particulate matter P M1 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1 μm)[10]. Particulate matter particles comprise heavy metals, which are contained in dust grains, or are present on their surface[14]

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion