Unit:
Department of Geology and GeoenvirommentLibrary of the School of Science
Author:
MENEGAKI STAVROULA
Supervisors info:
Ευστράτιος Κελεπερτζής, Επικ. Καθηγητής, Γεωλογίας και Γεωπεριβάλλοντος, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Βιοπροσβασιμότητα δυνητικά τοξικών στοιχείων (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) μέσω της αναπνευστικής οδού στο κοκκομετρικό κλάσμα <10 μm από εδαφικά δείγματα αστικής περιοχής: Tο παράδειγμα της Αθήνας
Translated title:
Respiratory Bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in the <10 μm particle size fraction from urban soil samples: The example of Athens
Summary:
Soil in urban areas is one of the main sinks of pollutants. It is well known that there is a strong link between potential toxic elements bioaccessibility by inhalation pathway and human health. Particles with size < 100 μm can enter human respiratory system via inhalation; however, the critical size fraction is <10 μm since they approach to the tracheobronchial region. In the current study we examine the bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) in <10μm particle size of ten soil samples from Athens which is a highly urbanized area. For the separation of the <10μm soil fraction we used wet sieving and Stokes’ Law. We used the EPA 3050B method to access the pseudototal metal(loid) content while the respiratory bioaccessible fraction was extracted using the Artificial Lysosomal Fluid (ALF). We applied XRD analysis technique to determine the principal mineralogical constituents. Furthermore, two samples were examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess the accuracy of the <10μm fraction separation method. Based on the results, there is correlation between the bioaccessible percentage of some potentially toxic elements through the respiratory pathway and the pH. The respiratory bioaccessible percentage of potentially toxic elements at <10μm size fraction is higher than the bioaccessible percentage through the oral pathway at <100μm. Additionally, we observed greater pseudo-total concentrations of potentially toxic elements in the <10μm fraction compared to the <100μm fraction. Urban Geochemistry has known great development worldwide but in Greece research is limited. So, this study aims to enrich the scientific knowledge about inhalable PTEs health impact and to help for further research in order to improve the quality of life in urban areas.
Main subject category:
Science
Keywords:
Bioaccessibility, Potentially toxic elements, Soil, 10μm, Human health, Urban area
