Cluster analysis of inorganic elements in particulate matter in the air environment of an equatorial urban coastal location

Concentrations of nine inorganic elements (Na, Zn, Ca, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cd and Al) in particulate matter (PM₁₀) in the air of an equatorial urban coastal location during 2009 were studied during summer and winter monsoon seasons using high-volume sampling techniques. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to analyse the samples. The concentrations of most inorganic elements were higher during summer than winter, except for Cu and Zn. The main inorganic elements in PM₁₀ are Na, Zn and Ca. High concentrations of Na and Ca are due to marine aerosols. Analysis of enrichment factors showed that inorganic elements are from non-crustal sources. Cluster analysis identified five clusters in the summer and six in the winter: (1) PM₁₀–Ni, (2) Zn–Na, (3) Fe–Cu–Ca–Cd, (4) Mn and (5) Al for summer; and (1) PM₁₀, (2) Zn, (3) Fe–Ni, (4) Cu–Ca–Na–Cd, (5) Mn and (6) Al for winter. Combining both correlation and cluster analysis, it was found that Fe–Cu–Cd was from industry/vehicle emissions, Zn was from resuspended soil, Mn was from metallurgical processes, Ni was from a nearby power plant and Al was from crustal sources. Inorganic element concentrations could be a good indicator of local sources of PM₁₀.     

Optimal conditions of Al and Fe extraction from laterite soil using D-optimal design

This paper reports pioneering work in identifying an alternative coagulation agent of wastewater treatment, given the availability of commonly used agents are of a higher cost relative to more natural sources, such as soil. The alternative proposed is laterite soil from northern Malaysia because it contains high amounts of Al and Fe, which are well-known coagulants. The soil was grinded and sieved to obtain uniform particle sizes of <250???m. Al and Fe were extracted from the soil. Extraction agents: (1) HCl, (2) NaOH, and (3) HCl?+?NaCl were chosen. It was found that the most effective agent to extract Fe was 5?N HCl while to extract Al was HCl?+?NaCl, 2 and 4?N, respectively. D-optimal design observed that extraction time t, temperature T, and ratio of amount of laterite soil to amount of extractants r, showed a significant effect on Al extraction. In contrast, the combination of factors t and r exhibited insignificant effect on Fe extraction while other factors were significant. The optimum conditions for extraction of both Al and Fe were 90?°C, 40?min, for r?=?1:15, which gave [Fe]?=?1,870?mg/l and [Al]?=?0.17?mg/l and 90?°C, 90?min, for r?=?1:10, which gave [Fe]?=?2,900?mg/l and [Al]?=?0.130?mg/l. Since concentration of Fe extracted from laterite soil was high, it was concluded that laterite soil can be considered as an alternative and novel source of coagulant applicable in a wastewater treatment coagulation process.     

Factors affecting vehicle exhaust emissions,driver motivations as a mediator

Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - Reducing the negative effects of vehicle emissions is one of the main priorities for governments worldwide. Comprehensive understanding of the costs and...