Sources and Atmospheric Transport of Toxic Trace Elements and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons and Their Migration Through Individual Environmental Media

摘要

The processing of minerals at high temperatures, such as coal and oil combustion in electric power stations and various types of industrial plants, results in releases of volatile elements to the atmosphere. Some of these elements, e.g. As, Cd and Pb have been widely studied due to the serious health concern associated with them. Once emitted to the atmosphere, trace elements can be transported within air masses and deposited in remote areas. Some clorinated hydrocarbons are toxic chemicals of potential concern, because of their stability and their accumulation in soil and the biosphere. Emitted mainly during and after the application of pesticides, chlorinated hydrocarbons can stay in the air for months or even years. They are then subject to atmospheric transport and sink processes. Concentration levels of the various pollutants are presented for air, precipitation, vegetation, soil and surface water. 127 references. (ERA citation 12:019043)