Evaluation of air quality in a suburban area of Algiers: A study using INAA and EDXRF technique

This study shows the levels of air pollution concerning the Total atmospheric Suspended Particles (TSP) and the mineral fraction which is conveyed by the latter in a suburban site, west of Algiers. The particulate sampling is performed by a low-flow sampler. The study shows that this suburban site, the air pollution by the TSP reached relatively low levels. We note that 76% of the levels found do not exceed the quality objective set by the Algerian regulations and the WHO (50µg/m3), therefore, the TSP pollution is tolerable, with an average of (40μg/m3). The analysis of metals associated with TSP by nuclear methods: Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. INAA shows the presence of Cr, Pb, As, Ni, Fe, V, Zn, Mn, Se, Co, Sb, Ba, Br, Sc, Hf, Ce , Ca and Cu accusing relatively low values ​​compared with limit values ​​that regulate this form of pollution and the values ​​published in the same line of research, but the inhalation of certain metals such as lead, chromium, nickel, arsenic, vanadium, manganese, cobalt and antimony even in small amounts may lead to toxic concentrations by accumulation effect in the body.

本研究揭示了位于阿尔及尔西部郊区的郊区，关于总悬浮颗粒物（TSP）及其携带的矿物组分所涉及的空气污染水平。颗粒物采样通过低流量采样器进行。研究表明，该郊区空气污染中的TSP水平相对较低。我们注意到，76%的检测水平未超过阿尔及利亚法规和世界卫生组织（50µg/m3）设定的质量目标，因此，TSP污染是可容忍的，平均值为（40μg/m3）。采用核方法对与TSP相关的金属进行分析：仪器中子活化分析（INAA）和能量色散X射线荧光（EDXRF）技术。INAA显示，Cr、Pb、As、Ni、Fe、V、Zn、Mn、Se、Co、Sb、Ba、Br、Sc、Hf、Ce、Ca和Cu的存在，与规范此类污染及同一研究领域发表的值相比，相对较低，但即使是吸入量极小的铅、铬、镍、砷、钒、锰、钴和锑等金属，也可能因积累效应在体内导致有毒浓度。