In Palermo, (Sicily, Italy), a year-long study was conducted to analyse the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition samples. The research was carried out at four urban sites and one semi-rural site. The atmospheric deposition samples were analysed both for major ions and trace elements. Abundances of major ions, on meq L−1 basis, followed the sequence Cl− > HCO3− > NO3− > SO42− > F− > Br− for anions, and Na+ > Ca2+ > NH4+ > Mg2+ > K+ for cations. The statistical technique of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to identify the main sources of origin of some of the main species and trace elements studied. Ions such as Cl−, Na+, Br and I were attributed to the marine source, whilst NH4+ and NO3− to the anthropogenic source, as well as Mo, Cd, Cu, As, Pb, Sb and V among the trace elements. On the other hand, Ca2+, K+, Li, Fe, Al, and Sr were mainly of crustal origin. The seawater fractions of Mg2+ and SO42− were of marine origin, whereas the non-seawater fractions of the same ions were of crustal and anthropogenic origin, respectively. Anthropogenic sources, such as internal-combustion vehicle, domestic heating, and plant emissions, must be considered for Cu, Cr, Ba, Mo, Sb, Zn, As, Ni, and V. This study produced a previously unpublished dataset on the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition that made it possible to identify the main sources influencing air quality in the metropolitan area of Palermo (Italy).

Brugnone, F., D'Alessandro, W., Liotta, M., Bitetto, M., Randazzo, L., Bellomo, S., et al. (2025). Source apportionment of major ions and trace elements in the atmospheric deposition of Palermo (Sicily, Italy). ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH, 16(4) [10.1016/j.apr.2025.102431].

Source apportionment of major ions and trace elements in the atmospheric deposition of Palermo (Sicily, Italy)

Brugnone, Filippo;Bitetto, Marcello;Randazzo, Luciana;Cilluffo, Giovanna;Parello, Francesco;Calabrese, Sergio
2025-01-01

Abstract

In Palermo, (Sicily, Italy), a year-long study was conducted to analyse the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition samples. The research was carried out at four urban sites and one semi-rural site. The atmospheric deposition samples were analysed both for major ions and trace elements. Abundances of major ions, on meq L−1 basis, followed the sequence Cl− > HCO3− > NO3− > SO42− > F− > Br− for anions, and Na+ > Ca2+ > NH4+ > Mg2+ > K+ for cations. The statistical technique of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to identify the main sources of origin of some of the main species and trace elements studied. Ions such as Cl−, Na+, Br and I were attributed to the marine source, whilst NH4+ and NO3− to the anthropogenic source, as well as Mo, Cd, Cu, As, Pb, Sb and V among the trace elements. On the other hand, Ca2+, K+, Li, Fe, Al, and Sr were mainly of crustal origin. The seawater fractions of Mg2+ and SO42− were of marine origin, whereas the non-seawater fractions of the same ions were of crustal and anthropogenic origin, respectively. Anthropogenic sources, such as internal-combustion vehicle, domestic heating, and plant emissions, must be considered for Cu, Cr, Ba, Mo, Sb, Zn, As, Ni, and V. This study produced a previously unpublished dataset on the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition that made it possible to identify the main sources influencing air quality in the metropolitan area of Palermo (Italy).
2025
Brugnone, F., D'Alessandro, W., Liotta, M., Bitetto, M., Randazzo, L., Bellomo, S., et al. (2025). Source apportionment of major ions and trace elements in the atmospheric deposition of Palermo (Sicily, Italy). ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH, 16(4) [10.1016/j.apr.2025.102431].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Brugnone et al., 2025 - Piogge Palermo.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Articolo
Tipologia: Versione Editoriale
Dimensione 9.57 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
9.57 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10447/671364
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact