G2 Master’s thesis, polytechnic Master’s thesis
Harjavallan Suurteollisuuspuiston ilmaperäisen kuormituksen spatiaalinen leviäminen/The spatial distribution of atmospheric pollution of Harjavalta Industrial Park – Maantieteen pro gradu -tutkielma
Subtitle: Maantieteen pro gradu -tutkielma
Authors: Berisha Anna-Kaisa
Publisher: University of Turku
Publishing place: Department of Geography and Geology
Publication year: 2013
Abstract
Due to raised awareness of the health effects of airborne particles, the research of atmospheric pollutions has increased over the recent decades. Magnetic methods can be used to research atmospheric pollution because magnetism is a quality of all materials and iron is a very common element in the environment. Magnetic susceptibility is a good parameter to acquire knowledge about heavy metals and their spatial distribution.
The aim of the research is to examine the spatial distribution of atmospheric pollution originated from the Harjavalta Industrial Park using snow samples and moss bags. The Harjavalta Industrial Park is an industrial area of approximately 300 hectares in Harjavalta city. The main sampling material is snow, complemented by moss bags. The research area contains 30 sampling sites. The atmospheric pollution accumulated in snow for 60-62 days and the moss bags were collected after 50-52 days of exposure. The samples were analyzed with magnetic and chemical methods. The concentrations of silver, arsenic, barium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, mercury, nickel, lead, sulphur, antimony, titanium and zinc were analysed and the mass-specific susceptibility was measured. The results were analyzed with statistical and GIS methods.
The correlation of mass-specific susceptibility between snow samples and moss bags is strong and the correlation of heavy metals between the sample types is often strong or quite strong. The samples containing the highest concentrations of heavy metals are located either in the Industrial Park, within close proximity to it or close to road traffic. The heavy metal concentrations are high within one kilometer of the centre point of the study area. The sample sites with low mass-specific susceptibility values and heavy metal concentrations are located on the eastern side of the study area or otherwise sheltered areas. According to the information about particle size and shape acquired by SEM photographs, the effect of the pipes of the Industrial Park is probably low. The atmospheric pollution has two main sources: the Industrial Park and traffic.
Key words: magnetic susceptibility, atmospheric pollution, heavy metals, snow samples, Harjavalta, environmental magnetism
Due to raised awareness of the health effects of airborne particles, the research of atmospheric pollutions has increased over the recent decades. Magnetic methods can be used to research atmospheric pollution because magnetism is a quality of all materials and iron is a very common element in the environment. Magnetic susceptibility is a good parameter to acquire knowledge about heavy metals and their spatial distribution.
The aim of the research is to examine the spatial distribution of atmospheric pollution originated from the Harjavalta Industrial Park using snow samples and moss bags. The Harjavalta Industrial Park is an industrial area of approximately 300 hectares in Harjavalta city. The main sampling material is snow, complemented by moss bags. The research area contains 30 sampling sites. The atmospheric pollution accumulated in snow for 60-62 days and the moss bags were collected after 50-52 days of exposure. The samples were analyzed with magnetic and chemical methods. The concentrations of silver, arsenic, barium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, mercury, nickel, lead, sulphur, antimony, titanium and zinc were analysed and the mass-specific susceptibility was measured. The results were analyzed with statistical and GIS methods.
The correlation of mass-specific susceptibility between snow samples and moss bags is strong and the correlation of heavy metals between the sample types is often strong or quite strong. The samples containing the highest concentrations of heavy metals are located either in the Industrial Park, within close proximity to it or close to road traffic. The heavy metal concentrations are high within one kilometer of the centre point of the study area. The sample sites with low mass-specific susceptibility values and heavy metal concentrations are located on the eastern side of the study area or otherwise sheltered areas. According to the information about particle size and shape acquired by SEM photographs, the effect of the pipes of the Industrial Park is probably low. The atmospheric pollution has two main sources: the Industrial Park and traffic.
Key words: magnetic susceptibility, atmospheric pollution, heavy metals, snow samples, Harjavalta, environmental magnetism
UTU Research Portal