Heavy Metals in the Aerosols Collected at Two Stations in Mallorca (Spain)

An extensive study of the different heavy metals (Fe, Mn Ni, Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) present in the atmospheric aerosols collected at two stations in Mallorca located in the evirons of a new incinerator plant has been carried out. The aim of this study is to establish the quality of the air surrounding this new MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) incinerator on the island of Mallorca prior to its setting up. Besides, a study of the distribution of the analyzed metals in both the fine (diameter ≤1.5 μm) and coarse (diameter ≥1.5 μm) fractions of the aerosol has been performed. Concentrations of heavy metals in the atmospheric aerosols prior to the running of the new incinerator plant were found to be very low and similar to the values obtained at other Mediterranean stations.