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K Styszko, L Samek, M. Kistler, K. Szramowiat, L. Furman, A. Kasper-Giebl, J. Golas:
"Chemical characterization of PM10 from Kraków including heavy metals (Analiza składu chemicznego pyłu PM10 z Krakowa z uwzglednieniem metali ciezkich)";
Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Gdanskiego, Gdansk, Poland, 2013, ISBN: 978-83-7865-090-4; 19 pages.

Aerosols play an essential role in ambient air, being responsible e.g., for multiple negative effects on human health and climate. Particles from combustion sources may especially contain numerous toxic compounds, both organic and inorganic (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals). Airborne particulate matter poses a significant problem in southern Poland (Małopolskie District) where the lay of land, weather conditions and the presence of industry emitting large amounts of particulate matter to the atmosphere, result in occurring elevated concentrations of PM, especially during winter. Chemical content of particulate matter was examined in the samples collected during the winter research campaign in February/March 2011. The samples of particulate matter PM10 were analyzed for metal content, including mercury, carbon compounds and selected ions. The results of mass determination indicated that the daily threshold of PM10 concentration in the air (50 μg·m−3) was exceeded for all the days during the campaign. Considerable amount of the particulate matter ( 30%) was constituted by organic (OC) and elemental(EC) carbon. Sulfate, nitrate and ammonium ions were observed in high concentrations. Mercury concentration was found to be at the constant level of about 0.25 ng·m−3.

particulate matter PM10, elemental analysis, heavy metals, organic and elemental carbon