Influence of start-up phase of an incinerator on inorganic composition and lead isotope ratios of the atmospheric PM10.

A municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) was installed in a peripheral area of the city of Turin. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of this plant to the massive concentration of PM 10 , to its chemical composition and to the distribution of the lead isotopes during the start-up phase.We assessed the inorganic composition of PM 10 collected in the vicinity of the Turin incinerator by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), magnetic sector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (SF-ICP-MS) and ion chromatography (IC). The lead isotope ratios in PM 10 samples were determined by SF-ICP-MS by a method developed and optimized using experimental design approach. Element trends and data chemometric treatment evidence that the vehicular traffic, increased in this area due to the opening of the MSWI plant, and, to a lesser degree, the direct incinerator emissions influence As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ba, Mo, Pb, Sn and Zn concentrations. As a whole, however, the element concentrations in PM 10 and the Enrichment Factors (EFs) were comparable with the values reported for other urban sites and target pollutant concentrations of MSWI emissions, namely Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb, were lower than in PM 10 emitted from older MSWIs. This confirms that incinerators of new installation have a lower impact on atmospheric PM 10 composition thanks to stricter current legislation and up-to-date technologies. The lead isotope ratios investigation allowed to distinguish the diverse sources (crustal, vehicular traffic and MSWI) that influence lead concentration in PM 10 collected near incinerator during start-up phase. Image 1 • The impact of a new MSWI on air quality during start-up phase was evaluated. • Element concentration changes are mainly due to an increased vehicular traffic. • Pollutant concentrations of MSWI emissions are lower than those of older MSWIs. • Pb isotope ratios show traffic, MSWI emissions and soil dust as main PM 10 sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]