Heavy Metal Concentrations in Particulate Matter: A Case Study from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 2022

This study assessed the concentrations and spatial patterns of heavy metals in fine particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter below 2.5 μm and coarse particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, during 2022. Thirty 24 h samples were collected using portable low-volume samplers across representative urban environments. Elemental concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, vanadium, and zinc were quantified by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. To address data below detection limits, regression on order statistics was applied. Copper and zinc exhibited the highest mean concentrations, pointing to strong anthropogenic inputs, while vanadium and iron showed pronounced spatial variability. Principal component analysis identified traffic and industrial activities as dominant sources. These findings provide baseline evidence for heavy metal pollution in Caribbean urban air and emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and effective regulatory strategies to mitigate potential health risks.