Anthropogenic Platinum and Palladium in the Sediments of Boston Harbor

Article Abstract:

Catalytic converters are responsible for a five fold increase of palladium[Pd] and platinum[Pt] in the sediment of Boston Harbor. Three sources of Pd and Pt are industrial, roadway runoff and background, pre-anthropogenic, sediment. Samples of old sediments, industrial sediments before catalytic converters and after the smog device introduction were compared. Pd and Pt particles in roadway runoff end up in the sewage system or flow directly through storm drains into the bay, this route was not studied or quantified. The relation of Pt to Mn suggests Pt may be more soluble than thought, that another unidentified source may exist for Pt. Further, organic matter oxidation may move the Pt and a study of the labile dynamics is needed.

United States, Laws, regulations and rules, Marine sediments, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, Tuit, Caroline B., Ravizza, Gregory E., Bothner, Michael H., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

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Greenland snow evidence of large scale atmospheric contamination for platinum, palladium, and rhodium

Article Abstract:

Even though vehicles are equipped with catalytic converters that decrease NO(sub x), CO, and hydrocarbons, there is substantial risk of contamination from elements in catalytic converters themselves. The study looked for platinum, palladium, and rhodium by testing and comparing Greenland snow from 7000 years ago and Greenland snow from the 1990s. Greenland snow from the 1990s has between approximately 40 to 120 times the levels of catalytic converter particles than the snow from 7000 years ago, suggesting that there is widespread tropospheric pollution in the Northern Hemisphere.

Greenland, Rhodium, Precious metals industry, Air pollution, Northern Hemisphere

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Catalyzing pollution

Article Abstract:

Several research studies have indicated that automotive catalytic converters may themselves be contributing to pollution by widely broadcasting small amounts of the platinum group metals. The various studies are discussed.

World, Pollutants produced & recycled, Brief Article

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