Trends of metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe, Hg and Ni) concentration in the New Jersey air environment
Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Spring 5-31-1990
Degree Name
Master of Science in Environmental Science - (M.S.)
Department
Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Environmental Science
First Advisor
Joseph W. Bozzelli
Second Advisor
R. P. T. Tomkins
Third Advisor
Richard B. Trattner
Abstract
The atmospheric concentrations and relative trends of ten trace elements (Co, Cd, Fe, Hg, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr and Mn) were studied at Elizabeth and Carteret, New Jersey from July 1987 to September 1989. The specific sites are Industrial and Residential Interface areas. The analytical procedure involved collection of the airborne particulates on a quartz microfiber filter using a high volume sampler. The samples were digested and then analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrometer. Elizabeth usually showed lower values for the metals than Carteret. Average concentrations (ng/m3) for the respective metals over the entire project are: Metal: Co Cd Fe
Hg Pb Elizabeth: 9.56 1.78 495.45 0.48 29.66
Carteret:
12.78
3.32
788.64
0.58
49.18
Metal:
Ni
Zn
Cu
Cr
Mn
Elizabeth: 18.78 103.56 44.60 18.96 16.40 Carteret:
33.21
106.81
89.20
27.46
24.28
It was determined that there were significant variations (more than 25%) in average levels of the metals Cadmium, Iron, Lead, Nickel, Copper, Chromium and Manganese, between the Elizabeth and the Carteret sites. In addition there are variations of over 50% in levels of quarterly averages for Iron, Copper, Nickel at the Carteret site and Copper, Nickel and Iron at the Elizabeth site.
The results were compared with those of a previous NJIT study from 1981 and 1982 at Elizabeth and Newark, New Jersey where the levels of Lead, Iron, Cadmium, Manganese, Copper, and Nickel were quantitated. For. Pb the following illustrates the very significant decrease observed. Comparison Site % Pb decrease Elizabeth 88/89 - Elizabeth 81/82 91.3 Elizabeth 88/89 - Newark 81/82 92.0 Carteret 88/89 - Elizabeth 81/82 85.5 Carteret 88/89 - Newark 81/82 86.8
These decreases in Lead concentrations are assigned to decreased use of lead in Vehicular fuels. Zinc and Cadmium also showed similar trends to that of Lead with a decrease of 15.55 in 88/89 for Elizabeth when compared with Elizabeth 81/82 and 61.3% decrease when compared with the Newark site. Manganese, Copper and Nickel showed increases in concentration for this 1988/89 study by 50.5%, 68.1% and 65.4% respectively relative to the Elizabeth 1881/82 site.
Statistical Analysis on metal concentration as a function at the 3-hour average wind direction reported by the US Meteorological Service has also been performed to determine trends in metal concentration vs wind direction.
Recommended Citation
Boddu, Shobha R., "Trends of metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Mn, Fe, Hg and Ni) concentration in the New Jersey air environment" (1990). Theses. 1348.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/1348
