Multivariate statistical methods for determining the deposition of chemical elements in the air in the porece region, north macedonia
1 Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss Cyri and Methodius University, Arhimedova 5, 1001 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
2 Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimiceva ul. 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
3 TE-TO AD Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
4 INCDO-INOE 2000 Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation (ICIA), Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2 Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimiceva ul. 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
3 TE-TO AD Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
4 INCDO-INOE 2000 Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation (ICIA), Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
A study was conducted to investigate air deposition and explore the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the region of Porece, North Macedonia, using moss samples as biomonitors for air pollution. The distribution of 48 elements was detected in 36 moss samples collected in the study region. The moss samples were analysed after microwave digestion using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission and mass spectrometry. It has been determined that the presence of some potentially toxic elements in the air in the study area was only influenced by lithogenic origin. R-mode factor analysis was used to identify and characterise the elemental associations. Three factors were separated from the group of macroelements determined by ICP-AES: Factor 1 (Fe, Al, Cr, V, Li, Ba, Ni, and Sr), F2 (P, K, and Cu), and F3 (Pb, Zn, Mg, and Ca). The data obtained and the distribution maps of the association of the elements and for each element analysed indicate a lithogenic occurrence of the elements and low concentrations of potentially toxic elements in the study area.
Keywords
moss; potentially toxic elements; Porece; North Macedonia; ICP-MS