EVALUATION OF THE HEAVY METALS MERCURY, LEAD AND ARSENIC IN ATMOSPHERIC PARTICULATES OF TABBIN RESIDENTIAL AREA, CAIRO, EGYPT

Kosbar, Marwa O.; Saleh, Nabil A.; Abbas, Waleed A.; Hewehy, Mahmoud A.; Abou Alnel, Naga A.

doi:10.21608/jes.2025.324855.1879

EVALUATION OF THE HEAVY METALS MERCURY, LEAD AND ARSENIC IN ATMOSPHERIC PARTICULATES OF TABBIN RESIDENTIAL AREA, CAIRO, EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Basic Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies and Research, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Marwa.Kosbar@iesr.asu.edu.eg

² Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

³ Department of Geography and GIS, Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, waleed.abbas@art.asu.edu.eg

⁴ Department of Basic Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies and Research, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

⁵ Department of Geography and GIS, Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/jes.2025.324855.1879

Abstract

At three selected residential locations in Tabbin area, seasonal samples of airborne heavy metal concentrations were analyzed, and results interpreted. Heavy metals of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ten micrometer or less (PM10) were assessed. The work depended entirely on collecting in-situ 36 air samples, 12 per location during 2022–2023. The analysis of particulate matter and its heavy metal concentrations across separate locations revealed a complex environmental landscape. PM10 levels fluctuated significantly at Location 01, while Location 03 experienced sporadic spikes, indicating episodic pollution events. Arsenic was high at Location 01, contrasting with the low levels found at Location 02. Mercury’s noticeable rise at location 03 indicated that emissions from the cement industry nearby were caused by burning coal. Meanwhile, elevated Pb levels at Location 02 indicated such activities and production emissions of specific local sources, including traffic congestion, smelters, and foundries. PM10 variations did not show any significant mean difference across locations, but the disparities in heavy metal concentrations were pronounced. This conclusion underscores the need for adopting extensive source apportionment, environmental assessments and confrontation plans by the local governments and research institutions.

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