Ionic and heavy metal composition of respirable particulate in Madurai, India.

Airborne particulate matter (PM(10)) was collected for a period of 1 year at six locations in Madurai city, India. The chemical analyses on PM(10) samples were carried out for the estimation of heavy metals and ions using atomic absorption spectroscopy and ion chromatography respectively. The average PM(10) concentrations varied from 97.2 to 152.5 microg/m(3), which were found to be below the Indian air quality standards. While industrial areas had the highest concentrations of heavy metals such as Fe, Zn and Cr and also the SO(4)(2-) ions, traffic areas with relatively higher traffic densities in the city endured highest concentrations of Cd and the NO(3)(-) ion. As gaseous pollutants serve as precursors of ionic particles in the atmospheric environment, gaseous pollution control is necessitated along with particulate with special reference to heavy metal and ion pollution abatement for the sustainable development of Madurai city.