Ambient air metallic elements compositions study in total suspended particulates and dry depositions at Taichung Harbor

In this study, the amounts of metallic elements Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, and Pb in atmospheric particulate matter on dry deposition plates (DDP) and in total-suspended particulate matter (TSP) are measured at Taichung Harbor in central Taiwan. The results indicate that at the Taichung Harbor sampling site, the averaged Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, and Pb contents in TSP were 31.31, 12.65, 126.42, 1.48, and 69.40 µg/g, respectively. The average Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, and Pb contents on DDP were 14.86, 5.14, 16.79, 0.37, and 36.13 µg/g, respectively. The average metallic elemental contents on the TSP followed the order Cu (126.42 µg/g) > Pb (69.40 µg/g) > Cr (31.31 µg/g) > Ni (12.65 µg/g) > Cd (1.48 µg/g). The average metallic elemental contents on the DDP followed the order Pb (36.13 µg/g) > Cu (16.79 µg/g) > Cr (14.86 µg/g) > Ni (5.14 µg/g) > Cd (0.37 µg/g). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the amounts of Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, and Pb in TSP and those on DDP. The obtained Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb contents in TSP were higher than in China and the USA. However, the Cu content in TSP was higher in this study. The average Cu contents in TSP by country followed the order Taiwan (126.42 µg/g) > Chain (109 µg/g) > Spain (weekend, 45.1 µg/g) > Spain (weekday, 25.5 µg/g) > Brazil (17.8 µg/g).