Trace metal composition of airborne particulate matter in the coal mining and non–mining areas of Dhanbad Region, Jharkhand, India

Abstract

This study reports the ambient concentrations of trace metals (in PM10) measured in the coal mining and non-mining areas of Dhanbad region, Jharkhand, India. Trace metal analysis was carried out using EPM 2000 filter paper followed by acid digestion, extraction and analysis through Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean concentrations of trace metals were found in the order of Fe>Cu>Zn>Mn>Cr>Cd>Pb>Ni. Mean Pb concentrations were found to be ranging from 0.024μg/m3 to 0.32μg/m3, Ni 0.002μg/m3 to 0.02μg/m3, Cu 0.06μg/m3 to 6.32μg/m3 while Mn varied from 0.14μg/m3 to 1.9μg/m3. Fe, Zn, Cd and Cr varied from 1.43μg/m3 to 28.48μg/m3, 0.16μg/m3 to 2.55μg/m3, 0.03μg/m3 to 0.07μg/m3 and 0.11μg/m3 to 0.42μg/m3 respectively. Univariate (correlation study) and Multivariate statistical analysis were adopted including; factor analysis and enrichment factor analysis to identify the sources and their contributions to particulate matter. The major sources of airborne trace metals identified were mainly coal mining and associated activities, emissions from automobile exhaust and industries, resuspended soil dust and earth crust, biomass burning, oil combustion, and fugitive emissions.