Issue 7, 2020

Identifying patterns and sources of anthropogenic trace metals in the Argentine Central Andes by using snow samples and an atmospheric dispersion model

Abstract

This study presents the first local measurements of metals in snow from the Argentine Central Andes. Cu, Pb and Zn were selected as specific tracers of anthropogenic local emission sources in the study area. Snow samples were collected during winter (2014, 2015 and 2016) at two sites with different characteristics: Punta de Vacas and Vallecitos. The samples were analyzed by ICP-MS, and the average concentrations found were 1.4 μg L−1 (Cu), 2.2 μg L−1 (Pb) and 14.2 μg L−1 (Zn) in the snow samples from Vallecitos, and 5.3 μg L−1 (Cu), 2.6 μg L−1 (Pb) and 24.0 μg L−1 (Zn) in the snow samples from Punta de Vacas. These data and the snowfall amount in each sampling site were statistically analyzed. Results suggested that the levels of metals in the snow are influenced not only by the atmospheric concentrations, but also by the amount of precipitated snow. Additionally, an atmospheric dispersion model, CALPUFF, was applied in the study area to determine the origin of the studied metals and to understand the spatial distribution pattern of the concentrations found. Results showed that the metal atmospheric loads in the study area originated from local sources, especially vehicular traffic and mining. This work represents an important contribution to the knowledge and preservation of the local Andean cryosphere, and it could be used as an input to develop protection policies in the area through the combination of different and complementary tools for the evaluation of air quality.

Graphical abstract: Identifying patterns and sources of anthropogenic trace metals in the Argentine Central Andes by using snow samples and an atmospheric dispersion model

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
29 feb. 2020
Accepted
21 maí 2020
First published
21 maí 2020

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1491-1501

Identifying patterns and sources of anthropogenic trace metals in the Argentine Central Andes by using snow samples and an atmospheric dispersion model

M. F. Ruggeri, P. S. Castesana, T. R. Bolaño-Ortiz, S. E. Puliafito, R. M. Pascual Flores, J. C. Altamirano and D. G. Allende, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020, 22, 1491 DOI: 10.1039/D0EM00096E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements