Insights into elemental composition and spatial distribution of nanoparticles of road-deposited sediments in an industrial city

Nanoparticles of road-deposited sediments are accepted to be an emerging contaminant in urban environments. However, the data on their elemental composition and fate are a large matter of speculation. In the current work, the comprehensive study of nanoparticles separated from road-deposited sediments of a large industrial city (Krasnoyarsk, Russia) has been carried out using a set of complimentary analytical and statistical methods. It has been revealed that investigated nanoparticles are strongly polluted by W, Sb, Bi, Zn, Ni, Cu, P, Mo, Cr, Pb, S, Sn, Ag, and Hg (mean Nemerow pollution index is 7.1). The presence of Cr-, Cu-, Zn-, Sn-, Sb-, W-, Pb-, and Bi-containing nanoparticles is confirmed using single particle-ICP-MS. For the first time it has been shown that the nature of pollution of nanoparticles and bulk road deposited sediments is significantly different. Despite the high mobility of nanoparticles in the environment, their uneven spatial distribution, which is dependent on pollution sources, has been found. Three sources are identified: soil erosion, mixing anthropogenic sources, and heavy machine industry. The findings made may open a new door into studies on fate, behavior, transport, and health risks of nanoparticulate elements in the environment.