Platinum and palladium emissions from on-road vehicles in the Kaisermühlen Tunnel (Vienna, Austria).

Total and size-segregated Pt and Pd emission factors from on-road vehicles were measured in the Kaisermühlen Tunnel in Vienna, Austria. Aerosol sampling was performed simultaneously inside and outside the tunnel during April and May 2005. Analysis of the acid-digested aerosol samples was performed using a preconcentration procedure with subsequent on-line detection by electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Inside the tunnel distinctly increased Pt and Pd concentrations were found with highest levels in total suspended particulate matter samples and reduced concentrations in the size-segregated PM10 and PM2.5 samples. Emission factors were calculated from concentration differences between tunnel inside and tunnel outside samples, the distance between tunnel entrance and sampling location, the ventilation rate, and the number of vehicles passing through the tunnel. Emission rates observed for Pt ranged from 38 +/- 5.9 to 146 +/- 13 ng veh(-1) km(-1), whereas the emission factors of Pd varied between 13 +/- 2.1 and 42 +/- 4.1 ng veh(-1) km(-1). Variations in the emission rates were assumed to originate from alterations in traffic conditions. Size-segregated investigations revealed that the major part of Pt and Pd emissions were released in the coarse aerosol mode (size fraction > PM10), nevertheless a considerable fraction (approximately 12% and approximately 22% respectively) was emitted in the inhalable PM2.5 fraction.