Dust reflects the natural subsidence of particles and is thus generally accepted as an important environmental indicator. Dust heavy metals find their way into soil or water via atmospheric deposition, potentially damaging plants, aquatic organisms, as well as human beings. In order to study the concentration levels, enrichment degrees, and comprehensive pollution characteristics of the dust heavy metals Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, V, Bi, and Mo in winter in Beijing, 49 groups of dust samples were collected from different locations within the city from November 2013 to March 2014. Heavy metal content (mass percentage) was then measured using Elan DRC Ⅱ type inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that the average content of Cd, Bi, and Mo was less than 10 mg·kg-1, that of Co, Ni, and V was between 10 and 100 mg·kg-1, while that of Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn was more than 100 mg·kg-1. The amount of Cd, Zn, and Cu in dust samples was generally higher than their secondary standard values in the soil environment. The secondary standard excess rates of Cd, Zn, and Cu were 100%, 97%, and 93.9% in urban environments, and 100%, 100%, and 81.2% in suburban environments, respectively. Results also indicated slight enrichment of Bi, Cu, Ni, and Pb, mainly derived from crustal or soil sources, while Cd, Cr, Mo, and Zn, exhibited mild enrichment, caused by a combination of natural and artificial sources. The paper proposes a "dust heavy metal comprehensive pollution index" model, based on the traditional single pollution assessment method, so as to explore comprehensive pollution characteristics of dust heavy metals in Beijing. Results for the dust heavy metal comprehensive pollution index in Beijing City were in the order of Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > V > Co. Cd, Zn, Cu, and Pb were identified as key pollution factors, with Cd and Zn as primary factors. Results for the dust heavy metal comprehensive pollution index in Beijing suburbs was Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > Co > V. Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cr were key pollution factors, with Cd and Zn as primary factors.
Keywords: comprehensive pollution index; concentration level; dust; enrichment factor; heavy metals; key pollution factors.