ICP/AES Analysis and the Composition of Airborne and Soil Materials in the Vicinity of A Lead/Zinc Smelter Complex

Abstract
Airborne particulate and soil materials sampled in the vicinity of a lead/zinc smelter and subsequently digested In nitric-perchloric acids have been analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP/AES). The samples were collected in two communities; a study community situated immediately adjacent to the smelter complex and a control community some 50 kilometers distant. Enrichment of airborne as well as soil materials is discussed and there is evidence of lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, arsenic, and antimony enrichment from the smelting processes. In addition, an aqueous extraction of the airborne materials isolated sulfate, nitrate, fluoride, and ammonia and gave evidence of enrichment due to fugitive SO x , NO x , HF, and NH3 gaseous emissions.

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