Abstract
In order to evaluate the effects on air pollution by particulate matter originating from coal combustion and hazardous air pollutants, some elements contained in particulate matter and soils were determined during the period 1982-1998 in Ehime Prefecture. The results were as follows: (1) Among the 11 elements analyzed in the particulate matter collected from five industrialized cities, Fe exhibited the highest mean value of 0.818μg/m3, followed by Zn 0.106μg/m3, Pb 0.044μg/m3, Mn 0.025μg/m3 and Ni 0.010μg/m3. In more than half of the samples, levels of Cr, Cd and V were below the detection limits. (2) In Niihama City, As concentrations in winter showed a decreasing tendency during the period 1982-1999. (3) Significant positive correlation was found between the concentrations of Fe and particulate matter. (4) The concentrations of Hg did not decrease during 1982-1998 except in Matsuyama City, suggesting that Hg was emitted mainly from natural sources. (5) Decreasing tendencies during the study period were found for Fe in Saijo City, Ni in Kawanoe City and Saijo City, Pb in Saijo City, As in Niihama City, Toyo City and Matsuyama City, and V in Niihama City, Saijo City and Matsuyama City. (6) Element concentrations in soils were not exceptionally high and the ranges of concentrations observed were almost equal to the values found in previous literature. (7) Only the orders of Al, Fe and As concentrations in soils and particulate matters were almost the same. Pb was especially high in particulate matter, suggesting that pollution sources of Pb other than soils exist in the neighborhood. (8) Natural sources might contribute significantly to the loadings of Mn, Fe and Hg in particulate matter, whereas Ni, Pb and V might be primarily anthropogenic origin.
