Geochemical baseline values determination and spatial distribution of trace elements in topsoils: An application in Sicily region (Italy).

This study proposed an approach to determine the geochemical baseline values in topsoils. The chosen study area is Sicily (Italy), a region characterized by significant lithological heterogeneity. Eighty-three topsoil samples were collected at several sites away from potential anthropogenic pollution sources.

Occurrence of palladium and platinum in human scalp hair of adolescents living in urban and industrial sites.

Platinum group elements (PGEs) can be naturally found at very low concentrations in the Earth's crust. However, the increasing uses of PGEs in vehicle exhaust catalysts, in addition to some other applications (industry, jewelry, anticancer drugs) cause their anthropogenic emission and dispersion in the environment. The use of human hair samples analysis is considered a suitable biological indicator to assess human occupational and environmental exposure.

Determination of Water-Soluble Trace Elements in the PM and PM of Palermo Town (Italy).

This study contributes to the current knowledge on the solubility of trace elements in the atmospheric particulate matter of the urban area of Palermo. Daily sample filters of PM and PM were collected in monitoring stations within and outside the urban area, characterized by variable traffic density. The bulk of compositions in PM and PM were determined by ICP-MS.

Air Quality Assessment by the Determination of Trace Elements in Lichens () in an Industrial Area (Sicily, Italy).

This study provides data on variation in the content of metals and metalloids measured in the lichens ( Oxner) collected in the Syracusan petrochemical complex (Sicily, Italy) which is considered one of the largest in Europe. Concentrations of eighteen trace elements measured in the lichens that were collected from 49 different points were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) device. The concentrations of the typical elements of industrial emissions (As, Cr, Ni, and V) highlight the environmental criticality that exists in the study area.