Outdoor aerosol characterization in two places (Urban and Rural Measurements)

• Main Authors: Mostafa, Mostafa Y.A., Khalaf, Hyam, Moustafa, Mona, Ahmed, Abdel-Rahman, Mohamed, Amer
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerosol composition; Elements; Impactor; Mass size distribution; Particulate matter
• ISSN: 2214-7853; 2214-7853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.212

In the present work, Particulate Matter (PM) elemental composition and mass size distribution were examined in rural and urban sites at El-Minia governorate, Upper Egypt. Aerosol particles are collected with cascade impactor (Low pressure Berner Type). Seven elements are investigated with atomic absorption spectroscopy technique (Fe, Ca, K, Ba, Cu, Mn and Pb). Five Measurements are performed in each site rural (El-sharyna village) and urban (Maghagha city). During the sampling, meteorological parameters such as temperature and relative humidity were registered by a thermo hygrometer Hi 8564. Abi-modal log normal size distribution corresponding to accumulation and coarse modes are established for elementals and PM. In the present study, the mean aerosols mass concentration (265 ± 16 μg/m3 in urban and 300 ± 17 μg/m3 in rural). These values excess the WHO primary (80 μg/m3) and secondary (60 μg/m3) standards during the four seasons. Also, they excess the annual average of the Egyptian Ambient Air Quality Standard (90 μg/m3). The mass concentrations for elements changed from 0.6 ng/m3 (for Ba) to 109 ng/m3 (for Fe) in the rural site. While in the urban site is ranged from 0.05 ng/m3 (for Ba) to 97 ng/m3 (for Fe). The mean elements mass concentrations are founded Fe (97–109), Ca (0.29–1.6), K (2.6–40.3), Cu (0.39–1.7), Mn (2.97–6.41), Pb (0.39–0.71), and Ba (0.11–0.4) ng/m3 for the urban and rural sites respectively.