The Content of As and Heavy Metals in TSP and PM10 Near Copper Smelter in Bor, Serbia

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution Vol. 228; no. 6
• Main Authors: Tasić, Viša, Kovačević, Renata, Maluckov, Biljana, Apostolovski – Trujić, Tatjana, Matić, Branislava, Cocić, Mira, Šteharnik, Mirjana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-06-2017
• Subjects: Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Hydrogeology; Soil Science & Conservation; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Copper smelter; Air pollution; Arsenic; Particulate matter; Heavy metals
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-017-3393-6

The content of As and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cu) in total suspended particulate (TSP) and PM
10
at 3 locations (Park, Institute, and Jugopetrol) near the copper smelter in Bor (Serbia) has been analyzed within the period 2004 to 2015 with the aim of investigating the seasonal and spatial changes of those pollutants in the suspended particles. The content of As in TSP and PM
10
was over the annual EU limit value at all measuring points during the entire period of observation, while contents of Cd and Pb were periodically above the annual EU limits. There were no statistically significant seasonal changes between mean levels of the observed elements in the cold (October–March) and warm (April–September) periods during the year. A strong and moderate positive correlation was detected between the concentrations of each particular element (except Ni) at all measuring points. Additionally, Cd was the most enriched element followed by Pb, As, and Cu, while Ni was low-enriched. The constant air pollution with As particles, sometimes in concentrations even 20 times higher than the permitted annual value, requires urgent undertaking of concrete actions in order to reduce anthropogenic emission of suspended particles in Bor.