Dustfall Rates and Trace Metal Concentrations for the Hamilton, Ontario Region

Abstract

<p>The main objective of this research was to examine the effects of dry deposition or dustfall. The dustfall was collected in buckets lined with polyetholene and set out at four locations around the Hamilton Ontario region. The total dustfall collected decreased rapidly away from the industrial area. The dustfall was fractionated up into three approximate particle sizes, sand, silt and clay. The largest amount collected for each site was in the silt size, the sand was the second largest amount collected the clay was the lowest.</p> <p>Trace metal concentrations were then determined for the dust using 12 metals, Al, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cu, I, Mn, Ha, Ti, and V. Metal concentrations for Al, Ca and Mn where large and increased towards the industrial area. Cu was another metal indicative of the industrial area. Within the industrial area, it became the most important of the small scale metals. As the distance away from the industrial area increased, the concentration of Cu dropped below detection.</p> <p>Generally the greatest concentrations were found in the silt size material and the lowest was the clay size.</p>