Abstract

LA ROSA, Carlos; ANDRESSEN, Rigoberto; CONTRERAS, Angel  and  FERNANDEZ, Raiza. Concentrations of total suspended particulate (tsp) and chemical characterization during the first rainy period of 2004, in the air of the city of Merida, Venezuela. Terra [online]. 2013, vol.29, n.45, pp.55-81. ISSN 1012-7089.

Air pollution is among the serious health and environmental problems facing our cities, due to population growth, urban expansion and increased disorderly automobile traffic. This paper deals with the sample collection of total suspended particles (TSP) in the air, with a Hi-Vol instrument and deposited particles (PAD) on the surface, in the city of Merida, Venezuela, during the period March 1st to June 30th, 2004. The samples were analyzed according to the established chemical and physical techniques; in addition a local meteorological analysis was performed. The main results indicate that in Merida, for the sampling period, the air may be considered clean. That magnesium, calcium, aluminum, lead and manganese associated with the PTS come from either natural sources or anthropogenic sources, whereas the sodium, zinc, potassium, copper, nickel and vanadium come only from anthropogenic sources. The washout of the atmosphere is closely related to the rain intensity, being this process more important in May and October, which are months peak-rainfall. In Merida, the factors that affect the pollutants transport and deposition are the valley breeze from the southwest and rainfall events that control local atmospheric washout.

Keywords : Air Pollution; Total Suspended Particles (TSP); Particles Deposited (PAD); Metals Associated With Tsp; Merida; Venezuela.