An assessment of selected heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn) in university campus located in industrial area
An investigation was conducted to examine the variation trend of heavy metal concentration and distribution in ambient air in university campus located in the industrial area. The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of heavy metals of concern (lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), ca...
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| Format: | Article |
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Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN)
2014
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| Online Access: | http://www.arpnjournals.com/jeas/index.htm http://www.arpnjournals.com/jeas/index.htm http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/6262/1/jeas_1214_1387.pdf |
| Summary: | An investigation was conducted to examine the variation trend of heavy metal concentration and distribution in ambient air in university campus located in the industrial area. The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of heavy metals of concern (lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) composition). The heavy metals were chosen based on the types of industry. Three sampling points were set up according to the distance from the industrial area. The sampling points were located at the Convocation Hall (3, 000m), Tun Dr. Ismail Residential College (390 m), and the Material Laboratory (10 m) in the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) campus, and all of the locations were in the Parit Raja industrial area. Heavy metals particulates were sampled from the E-Sampler Particulate Matter (PM10) Collector (Met One Instrument, Inc) in 24 h period for samplings of October 2013 to Jun 2014. Determination of heavy metals concentrations was conducted using two instruments; Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) (Perkin Elmer Elan 900) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) (Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 800). The analysis was performed after the filter paper was digested using aqua regia method. The relationship between metrological factor and concentration of heavy metals were clarified using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The data were compared to the air quality standards by the World Health Organization Health (WHO), the Ambient Air Quality Criteria Act 1994 (AAQC), the National Environment Protection Council (NEPS), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and also the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA). It was found that the concentrations of Cr, Cd, and Ni exceeded the standard concentrations which were 0.0100 μg/m3, 0.0050 μg/m3 and 0.0150 μg/m3, respectively. In contrast, Pb, Cu, and Zn in ambient air had low concentration compared to the standard, which were 0.500 μg/m3, 1.0000 μg/m3 and 1000 μg/m3, respectively. Generally the nearest distance of sampling site to the industrial area was indicated high levels of heavy metals. This finding is significant in contributing some knowledge of the heavy metals concentration in ambient air to communities surrounded by an industrial district. It identifies research needs and suggests possible approaches to addressing outstanding questions. |
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