Anthropogenic Sources Dominate Foliar Chromium Dust Deposition in a Mining-Based Urban Region of South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Dust pollution can be severe in urban centers near mines and smelters. Identification of dust sources and assessing dust capturing plant morphological traits may help address the problem. A chromium (Cr) mining and ferrochrome smelting region in Sekhukhuneland, South Africa, was investigated to identify the sources of Cr in soil and plant leaf surfaces and to evaluate the association between Cr sources and plant morphology. Combinations of bi- and multivariate statistical analysis techniques were applied. Non-significant relation between Cr quantities in surface soil and on leaf surfaces suggested negligible Cr dust contribution from soil to leaves. Association among Cr, Fe, Mg, Al, and Si levels on leaf surfaces confirmed their shared origin, possibly from chromite containing dust dispers

SUBMITTER: Adhikari S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8872262 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature