Determination of Ion Concentrations and Heavy Metals in the Air Particulates of an Industrial Area

This study deals with the determination of heavy metals, anions and cations in atmospheric aerosols at four heavily polluted sites in Samsun city, Turkey. The anions (Cl-, Br-, NO3- and NO2-) and cations (Na+, K+ and NH4+) in the samples were determined by ion chromatography using a potentiometric detector with ion selective electrodes. Flame and graphite-furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer was used for the determination of Pb, Cu, Zn and Fe. The average values of Cl-, NO3-, NO2-, Br-, Na+, K+ and NH4+ concentrations in the samples were 4.58±1.30, 7.42±1.32, 0.86±0.10, 0.28±0.05, 0.77±0.13, 0.72±0.06, and 1.08±0.09 μg/m3 respectively. The average values of Zn, Cu, Fe and Pb concentrations in the samples were 2.32±0.21, 1.71±0.14, 2.29±0.18, and 2.46±0.22 μg/m3 respectively.