Background air particulate chemistry in Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

Atmospheric aerosol collected at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, were studied to evaluate the natural and anthropogenic origins of its trace elements for the region. Sixteen Hi-volume air filter samples were collected and analyzed for 25 elements by INAA and AAS. The air filter results show a high variablity for certain elemental concentrations over the sampling periods. Enrichment factors of various elements relative to crustal abundances for the air filters indicate that input of the majority of elements is due to crustal weathering or resuspension of soil particulates by the wind. The elements Ag, As, Br, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn show very large enrichment in the aerosol relative to the crustal abundances.