HEAVY METALS DETECTION IN SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER (SPM) IN AMBIENT AIR USING ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY (AAS)

Abstract

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) quantification, followed by heavy metal detection and quantification was can-ied out in this study. Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) was measured using high volume air sampler at five different sites in NUST. The sampled filter papers were then analyzed for detection of trace metals by four different analytical techniques, i.e. Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Proton Induced X-ray Emissions (PIXE), Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC). LIBS and PIXE directly analyzed metals on the exposed filter papers whereas AAS and TOC involved sample preparation as these require liquid solutions for analysis. Six trace elements, i.e. Cadmium, Chromium, Iron, Manganese, Nickel and Lead were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. PIXE and AAS results showed similar trends in Iron and Lead. The results of this study can provide useful information for quantitative and elemental analysis of palticulate matter enhancing better understanding of air monitoring