Modeling and Assessment of PM10 and Atmospheric Metal Pollution in Kayseri Province, Turkey

Air pollution has numerous detrimental consequences for human health, visibility, climate, materials, plant health, and animal health. A portion of air pollution consists of metals, which are emitted into the environment via the combustion of fossil fuels, industrial activities, and the incineration of metal-containing products. In this work, the particulate matter and particle-related metal pollution from various sources, in the Turkish province of Kayseri, were determined. AERMOD modeling was also used to examine the distribution of PM10 around the Kayseri Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ). Particulate matter (PM10) samples were collected using MCZ dust collecting devices at six monitoring locations mainly affected by residential heating (Hurriyet, Talas, and Kocasinan), industry (OIZ), and traffic (Tramway and Cumhuriyet) during the autumn/winter months and at three monitoring locations mainly affected by residential heating (Kocasinan), industry (OIZ), and traffic (Tramvay) during the spring months. ICP-MS analysis was used to assess the concentrations of the heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, and Ni) in samples collected over 6 different time periods of 16 days each. During the autumn/winter months, the concentrations of Pb near roadways were found to exceed the Air Quality Assessment and Management Regulation of Turkey (AQAMR) limit value. During all the sampling periods, the Ni and Cd concentrations were below the AQAMR limit values. At the points associated with winter heating, the concentrations exceeded the AQAMR limit value, which may result from coal combustion.

Automated summary

Air pollution has multiple adverse effects on human health, visibility, climate, materials, plant health, and animal health. This study investigated the particulate matter and particle-related metal pollution in Kayseri, Turkey, and analyzed their distribution using AERMOD modeling. Samples were collected at various monitoring locations affected by residential heating, industry, and traffic during different seasons. The concentrations of heavy metals in the samples were assessed using ICP-MS analysis. The results showed that during the autumn/winter months, the concentrations of Pb near roadways exceeded the limit values set by the Air Quality Assessment and Management Regulation of Turkey.