Atmospheric Heavy Metals in the Industrial Area North Cairo, Egypt

A. A. Shakour, M. A. Hassanien and N. M. El-Taieb

Air Pollution Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.

Corresponding author: Dr. Mahmoud A. Hassanien
    Air Pollution Department, National Research Center,
    Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
    Fax number: +202 337 0931
    E-mail adress: mahmoud_hassanien@hotmail.com

CEJOEM 2001, Vol.7. Nos.3-4.:245-252


Key words:
Atmospheric pollution, suspended dust, deposition rate, settling velocities, heavy metals


Abstract:
Samples of particulate matter (suspended and deposited dust) were collected from the industrial area (Shoubra El-Kheima) North Cairo, Egypt. The samples were analysed for heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) by using flame and flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. Current emissions of heavy metals to the atmosphere were assessed. The obtained data showed that the particulate matter in the investigated area contained elevated concentrations of Fe, Pb, and Zn. For Fe and Zn the values detected were 11.95 and 13.8 µg•m-3 in suspnded dust and 3751.6±1590.4 and 759.9±304.4 µg•m-2•d-1 in deposited dust, respectively. Pb showed concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 8.6 µg•m-3 (mean = 4.1 µg•m-3) in suspended particulate that exceeded both the Egyptian and international standards. Its deposition rate ranged from 78.5 to 785.3 µg•m-2•d-1 (310.2±216.4 µg•m-2•d-1). On the other hand, Cd showed the lowest concentration of 0.075 µg•m-3 and its deposition rate ranged from 4.7 to 19.5 µg•m-2•d-1. It could be concluded that the industrial emission was the major source of heavy metals in the atmosphere of the area investigated.


Received:  11 September 2001
Accepted:  07 November 2001

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