The Characteristics of Trace Metal Distribution of Artificial and Natural-Origin Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) by grain size

Air pollution caused by suspended particulate matter (SPM) has increased remarkedly in industrial areas, and this has become an emergency issue in the global environment. Atomospheric SPM influences the local ecosystem including various plants and animals. It is necessary to examine the distribution characteristics of such trace metals in fine particulates (especially those with a diameter (φ) of less than 2.1μm). The Environment Agency of the Japanese goverment will complete analysis of the a concentration of suspended particulate matter less than 2.4μm by the end of 1999, and will be examining the relationship between the concentration of suspended particulate matter (0.1-9.0μm) with consideration given to the particle size throughout two years. It became clear that the metals of artificial origin such as Pb, V, Cd, Ni, Cr, existed in fine particulates (0.1 or more 2.0μm). By contrast, the metals of natural origin, such as Ti, Mn, Mg, Sr, mainly existed in coarse Area in Japan.