Assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa
Trace metal species emitted into the atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic sources can cause various health-related and environmental problems. Limited data exist for atmospheric trace metal concentrations in South Africa, which has the largest industrialised economy in Africa, with significan...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Academy of Science of South Africa
2014-03-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3768 |
| _version_ | 1819231130530873344 |
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| author | Pieter G. van Zyl Johan P. Beukes Grizelda du Toit Desmond Mabaso Johan Hendriks Ville Vakkari Petri Tiitta Jacobus J. Pienaar Markku Kulmala Lauri Laakso |
| author_facet | Pieter G. van Zyl Johan P. Beukes Grizelda du Toit Desmond Mabaso Johan Hendriks Ville Vakkari Petri Tiitta Jacobus J. Pienaar Markku Kulmala Lauri Laakso |
| author_sort | Pieter G. van Zyl |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Trace metal species emitted into the atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic sources can cause various
health-related and environmental problems. Limited data exist for atmospheric trace metal concentrations in
South Africa, which has the largest industrialised economy in Africa, with significant mining and metallurgical
activities. A large fraction of these mineral assets is concentrated in the Bushveld Igneous Complex, with the
western limb being the most exploited. To partially address this knowledge gap, atmospheric trace metals
were collected in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex at Marikana in the North West Province. Diurnal
PM
2.5
and PM
10
samples were collected for 1 year. A total of 27 trace metal species were determined.
With the exception of Ni, none of the trace metals measured during the sampling period exceeded local or
international air quality standard limit values. Total trace metal concentrations in the PM
10
fraction peaked
during the dry months and were regularly washed out during the wet season. A less significant seasonal
trend was observed for the trace metal concentrations in the PM
2.5
fraction; a finding attributed to a faster
replenishment of smaller particles into the atmosphere after rain events. About 80% of the PM
10
trace metal
levels measured occurred in the PM
2.5
fraction, while 40% or more of all metals emanated from the PM
2.5
fraction. This finding indicated a strong influence of anthropogenic sources. Four meaningful emission
sources were determined from explorative principal component factor analysis: crustal, vanadium related,
base metal related and ferrochromium related, which correlated well with the anticipated atmospheric trace
metal sources in the region. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T11:40:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-78c9a718abf94a4cac7c35b65cbb9fd3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-7489 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T11:40:04Z |
| publishDate | 2014-03-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Science of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-78c9a718abf94a4cac7c35b65cbb9fd32022-12-21T17:48:31ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892014-03-011103/411110.1590/sajs.2014/201302803768Assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South AfricaPieter G. van Zyl0Johan P. Beukes1Grizelda du Toit2Desmond Mabaso3Johan Hendriks4Ville Vakkari5Petri Tiitta6Jacobus J. Pienaar7Markku Kulmala8Lauri Laakso9Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa1 Rustenburg Local Municipality, Rustenburg, South Africa 2 South African Weather Service, Pretoria, South Africa1 Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaFinnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, FinlandDepartment of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FinlandUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South AfricaDepartment of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandFinnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, FinlandTrace metal species emitted into the atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic sources can cause various health-related and environmental problems. Limited data exist for atmospheric trace metal concentrations in South Africa, which has the largest industrialised economy in Africa, with significant mining and metallurgical activities. A large fraction of these mineral assets is concentrated in the Bushveld Igneous Complex, with the western limb being the most exploited. To partially address this knowledge gap, atmospheric trace metals were collected in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex at Marikana in the North West Province. Diurnal PM 2.5 and PM 10 samples were collected for 1 year. A total of 27 trace metal species were determined. With the exception of Ni, none of the trace metals measured during the sampling period exceeded local or international air quality standard limit values. Total trace metal concentrations in the PM 10 fraction peaked during the dry months and were regularly washed out during the wet season. A less significant seasonal trend was observed for the trace metal concentrations in the PM 2.5 fraction; a finding attributed to a faster replenishment of smaller particles into the atmosphere after rain events. About 80% of the PM 10 trace metal levels measured occurred in the PM 2.5 fraction, while 40% or more of all metals emanated from the PM 2.5 fraction. This finding indicated a strong influence of anthropogenic sources. Four meaningful emission sources were determined from explorative principal component factor analysis: crustal, vanadium related, base metal related and ferrochromium related, which correlated well with the anticipated atmospheric trace metal sources in the region.https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3768air qualitytemporal assessmentprincipal component factor analysissource apportionmentfactor analysis |
| spellingShingle | Pieter G. van Zyl Johan P. Beukes Grizelda du Toit Desmond Mabaso Johan Hendriks Ville Vakkari Petri Tiitta Jacobus J. Pienaar Markku Kulmala Lauri Laakso Assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa South African Journal of Science air quality temporal assessment principal component factor analysis source apportionment factor analysis |
| title | Assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa |
| title_full | Assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa |
| title_short | Assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa |
| title_sort | assessment of atmospheric trace metals in the western bushveld igneous complex south africa |
| topic | air quality temporal assessment principal component factor analysis source apportionment factor analysis |
| url | https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/3768 |
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