Scavenging of atmospheric trace metal pollutants by mineral dusts: Inter-regional transport of Australian trace metal pollution to New Zealand

Samuel K Marx; B S Kamber; H A McGowan

doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.12.014

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Scavenging of atmospheric trace metal pollutants by mineral dusts: Inter-regional transport of Australian trace metal pollution to New Zealand

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Scavenging of atmospheric trace metal pollutants by mineral dusts: Inter-regional transport of Australian trace metal pollution to New Zealand

Samuel K Marx, B S Kamber and H A McGowan

Atmospheric Environment, Vol.42(10), pp.2460-2478

2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.12.014

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Abstract

Atmospheric Sciences

Analytical Chemistry

dust

trace metal pollution

New Zealand

Australia

atmospheric scavenging

Lake Eyre Basin

Dust samples collected from the surface of glaciers and in dust traps on the remote West Coast of New Zealand's South Island can reliably be identified as being of both Australian and New Zealand origin. Most are, however, found to be enriched in Cu, Zn, Cd, Sb, Sn, Pb, Ni and Cr, when compared with their source-area sediments. The degree of metal enrichment in the dust samples is proportionally related to the percentage of Australian dust implying that the pollutants were transported with dust from eastern Australia. Pollution enrichment factors for these metals in dusts were calculated with a high degree of certainty, because the specific source regions of the dust could be identified. Rates of trace metal pollution transport were then calculated using a record of Australian dust transport over New Zealand. Results show that significant concentrations of trace metal pollutants are transported to New Zealand at levels that are between 1.5 and 100 times background conditions. Results also show that Sb, Pb and Cr are highly particle reactive and their transport in this region is almost exclusively associated with dust scavenging (up-take of pollutants by dust). By comparison, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sn and Ni may also be transported independently of dust. While the rates of pollution metal transport reported here are lower than in more industrialised regions of the globe, the majority of these metals are being deposited in a region internationally recognised for its environmental and conservation values.

Details

Title: Scavenging of atmospheric trace metal pollutants by mineral dusts: Inter-regional transport of Australian trace metal pollution to New Zealand
Authors: Samuel K Marx (Author) - University of Queensland
B S Kamber (Author) - Laurentian University, Canada
H A McGowan (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Atmospheric Environment, Vol.42(10), pp.2460-2478
Publisher: Pergamon
Date published: 2008
DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.12.014
ISSN: 1352-2310
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449992802621
Output Type: Journal article

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