platinum group metals, transport, urban, airborne particles, pollution

This study examines concentrations of platinum group metals (PGM - i.e. platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh)) in airborne particulate matter (PM10) of Ostrava city situated in Northern Moravia, Czech Republic. PM10 samples were collected simultaneously at a busy intersection in the city centre and on a background location with low traffic by high-volume samplers. PM10 total mass concentrations were quantified by the gravimetric method. High pressure microwave digestion with the mixture of HNO3, HCl and H2O2 was used for sample preparation. PGM concentrations were determined using ICP-MS. Preliminary results indicate a significant increase of PGM concentrations on the site with a heavy traffic load in comparison with local background.