Levels, risk assessment and sources of PM10 fraction heavy metals in four types dust from a coal-based city

The concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb in PM10 fraction of four types of dust in a coal-based city, Fushun were detected by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. Results showed that most of the average concentrations for 11 metals in dust were higher than Chinese soil background values, especially for Cu, Zn, Hg, Cd and Pb with higher pollution index values. The re-suspended dust from residential and school building surfaces showed middle and high level of pollution by geoaccumulation index assessment which should raise attention as their potential health risk to local residenter and students. Six hotspots were found from spatial distribution analysis, locating at the northeast corner, central area close to mines, southwest area adjacent to an expressway, northeast area close to power plants, the city center and the industrial district reflecting the influence of agricultural activities, mining activities, vehicle emission, coal combustion and industrial activities. Correlation and principal component analysis showed accordant results indicating that vehicle emission, industrial activities, coal combustion and crustal materials were the main sources for heavy metals in PM10 fraction of fugitive dust in Fushun. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V.