Investigation of the Heavy Metals Pollution in PM10 Aerosols (Case Study Area: City of Kermanshah)

The purpose of this research is investigation of the heavy metals pollution in PM10 aerosols in atmosphere in city of Kermanshah. The concentrations of thirteen elements consisting of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Se, Zn, Fe, Cr, Co, As, Mo, V were analyzed by ICP for 55 soil samples (in various point of the height of 600-1600m) and 41 aerosols samples. The heavy metals pollution have been investigated using geo- accumulation index, contamination factor, enrichment factor, factor analysis. The results obtained from this studying, showed that elements of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Se, Co, As, V have low pollution, elements of Fe, Cr have medium pollution, element of Zn has high pollution, element of Mo has very high pollution. Based on results of enrichment factor, Zn is the most enriched element. Mo have located after Zn. These elements have high EF-values. This indicates that they are probably dependent on non-soil sources such as vehicle exhaust. Enrichment Factor for Cu, Pb, Ca, Ni, V and Cr are in the range of 1 to 10. This implies that these elements were influenced not only by crust, but also by other pollution sources. Enrichment Factor of other elements (selenium, arsenic, cobalt) are less than 0.1. This indicates that these elements have originated from the crust. Based on results of enrichment factor and factor analysis, these elements have anthropogenic source that emissions of vehicle and industry-oil burning emissions have the main role in emission to atmosphere.