Source apportionment by positive matrix factorization on elemental concentration obtained in PM10 and biomonitors collected in the vicinities of a steelworks

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry volume 309, pages397–404(2016)Cite this article

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of steelworks emissions in its vicinity through chemical element analysis. Two approaches were used: instrumental monitoring and biomonitoring using transplanted lichens. Element contents in filters and lichens were determined by k 0-INAA and PIXE and sources identification was performed by the receptor model positive matrix factorization. PM10 data indicated that the steelworks has an important impact on the air quality, having several sources associated with its processes been identified. Lichen analyses showed that this impact decrease significantly with the distance to the factory.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for funding J. Lage Ph.D. Grant SFRH/BD/79084/2011 and S. M. Almeida contract (IF/01078/2013) and the European Community’s Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) under Grant Agreement No. RFSR-CT-2009-00029. C2TN/IST authors gratefully acknowledge the FCT support through the UID/Multi/04349/2013 project.

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Affiliations

  1. C2TN, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, EN 10, ao km 139.7, 2695-066, Bobadela, LRS, Portugal

    Joana Lage, Miguel A. Reis, Paula C. Chaves & Susana M. Almeida

  2. Department of Radiation Science and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Technical University of Delft, Postbus 5, 2600 AA, Delft, The Netherlands

    Joana Lage & Hubert Th. Wolterbeek

  3. Instituto de Soldadura e Qualidade, Av. Prof. Dr. Cavaco Silva, 33, 2740-120, Porto Salvo, Portugal

    Sílvia Garcia

Authors
  1. Joana Lage
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  2. Hubert Th. Wolterbeek
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  3. Miguel A. Reis
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  4. Paula C. Chaves
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  5. Sílvia Garcia
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  6. Susana M. Almeida
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joana Lage.

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Lage, J., Wolterbeek, H.T., Reis, M.A. et al. Source apportionment by positive matrix factorization on elemental concentration obtained in PM10 and biomonitors collected in the vicinities of a steelworks. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 309, 397–404 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4751-3

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Keywords

  • k 0-INAA
  • Steelworks
  • Air pollution
  • PM10
  • Biomonitors
  • Elements