RESUMEN
To investigate the characteristics, sources, and health risks of trace heavy metals in fine particles, PM2.5 samples were collected at a suburban site of Zhuhai in the Pearl River Delta Region. Fifteen elements in the PM2.5 were analyzed by an X-ray fluorescence method. The results showed that the total mass concentrations of crustal elements (Al, Si, Ca, Fe, and Ti) in a typical month during spring, summer, autumn, and winter were (708±213), (645±269), (1155±503), and (1466±492) ng·m-3, respectively, while the total mass concentrations of the rest of the trace elements (Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn) were (271±124), (163±87.6), (424±192), and (546±183) ng·m-3, respectively. The element concentrations decreased in the following order:Si > Al > Fe > Zn > Ca > Pb > Ba > Mn > Sb > Cu > Ti > V > Ni > Cr > Co. Enrichment factors (EFs) analysis showed that Sb, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Ba, Ca, and Co were heavily enriched, with EFs values ranging from 172 to 2426. Principal component analysis further showed that regional transport, ship emissions, coal combustion, and the electronics industry were the major sources of heavy metals, contributing 53.4%, 13%, 7.6%, and 6.8% of the total, respectively. Health risk assessment results indicated that Mn may pose a non-carcinogenic risk to children, and Cr, Pb, and Co may pose cancer risks to humans.
