Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-802
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-802
23 Feb 2023
 | 23 Feb 2023
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal ACP.

High Enrichment of Heavy Metals in Fine Particulate Matter through Dust Aerosol Generation

Qianqian Gao, Shengqiang Zhu, Kaili Zhou, Jinghao Zhai, Shaodong Chen, Qihuang Wang, Shurong Wang, Jin Han, Xiaohui Lu, Hong Chen, Liwu Zhang, Lin Wang, Zimeng Wang, Xin Yang, Qi Ying, Hongliang Zhang, Jianmin Chen, and Xiaofei Wang

Abstract. Dust is a major source of atmospheric aerosols. Its chemical composition is often assumed to be similar to the parent soil. However, this assumption has not been rigorously verified. Here, we generated dust aerosols from soils to determine if there is particle size-dependent selectivity of heavy metals in the dust generation. Mn, Cd, Pb and other heavy metals were found to be highly enriched in fine (PM2.5) dust aerosols, which can be up to ~6.5-fold. To calculate the contributions of dust to atmospheric heavy metals, regional air quality models usually use the dust chemical profiles from the US EPA’s SPECIATE database, which does not capture the correct size-dependent selectivity of heavy metals in dust aerosols. Our air quality modeling for China demonstrates that the calculated contribution of fine dust aerosols to atmospheric heavy metals, as well as their cancer risks, could have significant errors without using proper dust profiles.

Qianqian Gao et al.

Status: open (until 12 Apr 2023)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse

Qianqian Gao et al.

Qianqian Gao et al.

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Short summary
Dust is a major source of atmospheric aerosols. Its chemical composition is often assumed to be similar to the parent soil. However, this assumption has not been rigorously verified. Dust aerosols are mainly generated by wind erosion, which may have some chemical selectivity. Mn, Cd and Pb were found to be highly enriched in fine (PM2.5) dust aerosols. In addition, estimation of heavy metal emission from dust generation by air quality models may have errors without using proper dust profiles.
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