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Anthropogenic platinum group element (Pt, Pd and Rh) concentrations in road dusts and roadside soils from Perth, Western Australia
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Anthropogenic platinum group element (Pt, Pd and Rh) concentrations in road dusts and roadside soils from Perth, Western Australia

J.D. Whiteley and F. Murray
Science of The Total Environment, Vol.317(1-3), pp.121-135
2003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(03)00359-0
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Abstract

The emission of platinum group elements (PGE) from automobile catalytic converters has led to rapid increases in Pt, Pd and Rh concentrations in roadside media. This article represents the first detailed study to assess PGE levels in road dusts and roadside soils in Australia. Road dust and roadside soil samples were analysed by ICP-MS following microwave digestion and cation exchange. All samples show elevation of PGE above average upper crust values, with maximum values of 420 ngg-1 Pt, 440 ngg-1 Pd and 91 ngg-1 Rh. PGE ratios in road dusts and soils are consistent with known catalytic converter compositions and while Pt and Rh abundances are comparable with European studies, Pd levels are substantially higher in Australian samples. PGE in these samples are not correlated with Pb, though positive correlations with Ce, Cu and Y are evident. No straightforward relationship between traffic volume and PGE abundance is evident and factors such as driving style, topography, road drainage and potentially climate exert considerable influences.

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Citation topics
2 Chemistry
2.209 Spectrometry & Separation
2.209.688 Preconcentration
Web Of Science research areas
Environmental Sciences
ESI research areas
Environment/Ecology
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