Distribution Pattern and Chemical Composition of Anions and Heavy Metals in Coarse Particulate Matter at Mainland, Penang

This study was conducted to determine the distribution pattern of coarse particulate matter (PM₁₀) in three different locations which were residential area, roadside area and industrial area in Mainland, Penang and its anions and heavy metals. A total of 36 samples were collected from three different locations which was residential area, roadside area and industrial area at Mainland, Penang for 4 months in which 3 samples were collected from each locations for each month. PM₁₀ samples were collected and extracted by acid digestion for heavy metal analysis and ultrasonic bath for anion analysis. The anions and heavy metals were determined by Ion Chromatography (IC) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The aim of this study was to determine the distribution pattern of coarse particulate matter (PM₁₀) and its associated chemical components. Results showed that PM₁₀ concentration was highest at roadside for the month of September compared to other months which was 76.27±40.26 µg/m3 and its overall mean concentration were also found the highest similarly at roadside compared to other sampling locations which was 43.69 ± 30.59 µg/m3. Overall concentration of anions and heavy metals according to the locations were analyses and compared. In addition, monthly concentration was found the highest for SO42´ compared to NO´ and F´ in residential area and roadside area for the month of September whereas in industrial area, the highest concentration of SO 2´ was observed in the month of August. For heavy metals, Fe, Na and K showed the highest monthly concentration at all the locations. Compositional profile for anions and heavy metals were prepared to observe the difference in its composition according to months and locations for heavy metals and only locations based for anions. In summary, correlation results showed that there were more positive and significant relationships between PM₁₀ and chemical compositions and also among the elements at all the places while industrial area showed the most significant relationships. In conclusion, the results of the study showed that the concentration of PM₁₀ were still under safe zone and abundance of anions and heavy metals were observed clearly at the selected urban areas at Mainland, Penang.