Assessment of Trace Elemental Composition of Air Particulate Matter at Hurghada, East Egypt

Mahmoud A. Hassanien and A. A. Shakour

Air Research and Pollution Control Department, Environmental Protection Research Division, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
   
Corresponding author: Dr. Mahmoud A. Hassanien
    Present address:
    National Institute of Environmental Health,
    Fodor József National Center for Public Health,
    Gyáli út 2-6., H-1097 Budapest, Hungary
    Telephone: (+36) 1 218 3158,
    Fax number: (+36) 1 215 0148
    E-mail: mahmoud@oki1.joboki.hu
    Permanent address:
    Air Research and Pollution Control Department,
    Environmental Protection Research Division, National Research Center,
    Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
    Fax number: Fax: (+202) 337 0931

CEJOEM 1999, Vol.5. No.3-4.:291-301

Key words:
Airborne particulate, atmospheric pollution, trace elements, Hurghada, Egypt
 
Abstract:
Because of the current interest in tourism activity, this study has been undertaken to measure the ambient level of trace elements. In this paper the monitoring results of eight trace elements for a 1-year period are represented. The average yearly and seasonal atmospheric concentration (ng/m3) of trace elements contained in the suspended particulate; arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, nickel, selenium, and vanadium were determined at a sampling station located at Hurghada, a resort location in the eastern part of Egypt. Twenty-four-hour samples of total suspended particulate (TSP) were collected during winter and summer periods. The sampling site was free from near source effect due to the characters of the investigated area. Correlation coefficients between metals and t-test between summer and winter are reported. Lead and vanadium were the only pollutants studied whose concentrations, 5.9 and 3.98 ng/m3, respectively, was found to be higher than those of the others. On the other hand, selenium, arsenic and cobalt showed the lowest concentrations, 0.18, 0.26, and 0.38 ng/m3, respectively. The current results supported the predisposition that here the levels of many pollutants are lower than the results obtained in various other parts of the world.

Received:  20 December 1999
Accepted:  09 February 2000
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