Morphological and chemical characterization of atmospheric particles PM10 in an urban site in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico

Start PM10 concentrations and their trace metals content (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe and Zn) were determined in an urban site of Leon, Guanajuato during the rainy season 2018. PM10 exceeded the maximum permissible levels established by the Mexican Standards and WHO, constituting a potential risk to population health. Trace metals levels in PM10 were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, and in addition, morphology and elemental content were studied for some selected particles by Scanning Electronic Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry. Chemical and morphological characterization revealed that Fe was the more abundant metal (0.986 µg m-3 ), followed in order of importance by Zn (0.243 µg m-3 ), due to theses metals are related to the crustal. Lower concentrations were found for Cu (0.140 µg m-3 ), Cd (0.119 µg m-3 ), Mn (0.070 µg m-3 ) and Co (0.043 µg m-3 ). Meteorological analysis showed that sources located at the SW and NE of the sampling site (industrial parks and facilities related to metals and mineral extraction) influenced the measured concentrations. Enrichment factors showed that all the measured metals were highly influenced by anthropogenic activity. Cancer Risk (CR) and Non-Cancer Risk Coefficients (cardiovascular and respiratory diseases) did not exceed the maximum permissible level established by EPA.The first section in your paper.