The objective of this study was to assess the impact of steelworks emissions in its vicinity through chemical element analysis. Two approaches were used: instrumental monitoring and biomonitoring using transplanted lichens. Element contents in filters and lichens were determined by k₀-INAA and PIXE and sources identification was performed by the receptor model positive matrix factorization. PM10 data indicated that the steelworks has an important impact on the air quality, having several sources associated with its processes been identified. Lichen analyses showed that this impact decrease significantly with the distance to the factory.

The objective of this study was to assess the soil contamination in the surroundings of a heavy industrial area located in Spain. k₀-INAA was used to measure the concentration of 21 elements in soils. The extent of the contamination was evaluated by calculation of the index of geoaccumulation, contamination factor and enrichment factor. A multivariate statistical analysis was used to identify source profiles. This work indicated that the surface soils are affected by airborne supply of elements from natural and anthropogenic sources. Results showed the existence of high levels of contamination for the elements Zn, Sb, As and Br.