Studies on Particle Size Distribution of Heavy Metals in the Atmosphere

大氣中 重金屬의 粒經分布에 關한 硏究

Atmospheric particulate matter (A.P.M.) was collected on quartz fiber filters from March 1985 to May 1986 according to particle size using Andersen high-volume air sampler, and 6 heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb) in these particulates were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The arithmetic mean concentration of A.P.M. was 195.57$\mug/m^3$. The arithmetic mean concentrations of 6 metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb) were 3385.04, 1451.67, 897.94, 159.68, 127.14 and 59.49 $ng/m^3$ respectively. The order of heavy metals contributing to A.P.M. was as follows: Fe > Zn > Pb > Cu > Mn > Ni. These heavy metals were devided into 3 groups according to their particle size distribution. The contents of heavy metals belonging to the 1st group (Fe, Mn) were increased with the particle size. On the contrary, the content of Pb belonging to the 2nd group (Pb) was increased with the decrease in the particle size. The heavy metal contents in the 3rd group (Ni, Cu, Zn) were lowest in the particle size range of 2.0-3.3 $\mum$ compared with particles larger or smaller tha this range. The seasonal variation of heavy metal concentration were as follows: Fe and Mn contents were highest in spring, but Ni and Pb contents were highest in winter. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between A.P.M. and Fe in coarse particles, meanwhile between A.P.M. and Pb in the case of fine particles.