Heavy metal determination and source emission identification in an industrial location of Bogota-Colombia

During the present study, chemical characterization of particulate matter less than 10 micrometers (PM10) in an industrial zone of Bogota was performed. A total of 75 samples were collected during one year (June 2005 - July 2006) under wet and dry conditions in three different places, two within the industrial zone and the other one in a remote area. Samples obtained during a public transportation strike, which took place in Bogota during two days in 2006, were also included in the study. Heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ag, Fe, Pb, Mn, Zn, Ni) in PM10 fraction were conducted using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. PM10 (24-hour average) concentration was found between 65 and 100 mu g/m(3) in the industrial zone, whereas in the northern point was as low as 20 mu g/m(3) (PMIO local standard is 150 mu g/m(3)). Pb and Fe were the metals with the highest concentrations in air (similar to 4,000 ng/m(3) in the industrial zone, < 400 ng/m(3) in the north point). Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni and Mn were assessed in a lower level (50-700 ng/m(3) in the industrial zone, <100 ng/m(3) in the north point) and finally, Cd and Ag were the elements with the lowest concentration. Source emissions were assessed analyzing PM10 and heavy metal concentrations in air.