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Composition and possible sources of anionic surfactants from urban and semi-urban street dust

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Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the distribution of anionic surfactants in street dust samples from urban and semi-urban areas of Malaysia. The dust was collected from streets experiencing heavy traffic in both Kuala Lumpur, an urban location, and Bangi, a semi-urban location. The samples were separated into three particle size fractions (μm) using a laboratory test sieve, namely: fraction A (125 > X ≥ 63), fraction B (63 > X ≥ 45) and fraction C (X < 45). Anionic surfactants as Methylene Blue Active Substance (MBAS) were determined by the Colorimetric Method using a UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. Results indicated that anionic surfactants (MBAS) from fraction C showed the highest concentration (Kuala Lumpur 0.53 ± 0.04 μmolg−1 and Bangi 0.49 ± 0.03 μmolg−1), followed by larger particles (fractions B and A). The cations detected followed the trend of Ca2+ > K+ > Na+ > NH4 − > Mg2+, whereas for anions, the trend was SO4 2− > Cl− > NO3 − > F−, respectively. Results from principal component analysis and the multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) of ionic compositions, clearly revealed that surfactants from the street dust at both sampling stations were primarily derived from anthropogenic sources. Examples of these sources include construction/industrial activity and vehicular emissions/biomass burning.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by Fundamental Research Grant (FRGS/1/2015/WAB03/UKM/01/1) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). Special acknowledgement to Ms. Karen Alexander for her assistance with the proofreading of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900, Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia

    Nurul Bahiyah Abd Wahid

  2. School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mohd Talib Latif

  3. Institute for Environmental and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mohd Talib Latif

  4. Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

    Suhaimi Suratman

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  1. Nurul Bahiyah Abd Wahid
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  2. Mohd Talib Latif
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  3. Suhaimi Suratman
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Correspondence to Nurul Bahiyah Abd Wahid.

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Wahid, N.B.A., Latif, M.T. & Suratman, S. Composition and possible sources of anionic surfactants from urban and semi-urban street dust. Air Qual Atmos Health 10, 1051–1057 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-017-0493-9

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