ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Influence of Land Use and Road Type
on the Elemental Composition of Urban Dust
in a Mexican Metropolitan Area
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1
Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Morelia,
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia Michoacán, México
2
Laboratorio Universitario de Geofísica Ambiental, Centro de Investigaciones en Geografía Ambiental,
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia Michoacán, México
3
Departamento de Física Aplicada, Centro de Investigaciones y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto
Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Mérida, Cordemex, Mérida, Yucatán, México
4
Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México,
Morelia Michoacán, México
Submission date: 2018-02-02
Final revision date: 2018-04-18
Acceptance date: 2018-04-23
Online publication date: 2018-12-12
Publication date: 2019-02-18
Corresponding author
Francisco Bautista
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua carretera a patzcuaro 8701, 58190 Morelia, Mexico
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(3):1535-1547
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ABSTRACT
The composition of urban dust can affect the health of urban populations, making it necessary
to study its elemental composition and its sources. Our objectives were: a) to identify the main
emission sources of heavy metals, and b) to evaluate the influence of land use and road type
on the elemental composition of urban dust. 100 samples of urban dust taken in San Luis Potosí were
analyzed using FRX. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations coefficient, kriging interpolations, and
analysis of variance were applied to the data. Cu and Zn were spatially associated with a metallurgical
complex and, to a lesser extent, with an industrial park; Ca with fluorite and limestone industries, and
Si with the surrounding soils. The highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Ca were found in mixed and
industrial land uses. On the contrary, the highest concentrations of “natural elements” (Al, K, Si, Rb,
and Y) were found in developable land and residential areas. The highest contents of Ca were found in
secondary and primary roads. The conclusions were: a) the metallurgical complex is the main source of
Cu and Zn, and b) the highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Ca were found in mixed and industrial land
uses.