Abstract: Urban residential area is an important place for human activities and is closely related to the daily life of residents. To understand the spatial distribution of heavy metals in the dust of residential districts and streets in Shenyang, we analyzed heavy metal concentrations, and assessed the pollution degree using enrichment factors and geoaccumulation indices by collecting dust samples in residential districts and streets. The results showed that the average concentrations of Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the dusts exceed the background value of surface soil elements in Liaoning Province. The concentrations of heavy metals Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in the dust of streets and that of Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn and Pb in residential districts showed significant spatial variations. Among all the investigated heavy metals, Cd, Zn, and Pb were the most serious pollutants. The Cd and Zn concentrations in the residential districts were significantly higher than those in the streets. The pollution levels of heavy metals in the residential areas of Shenyang ranged from light to moderate degrees.

Key words: dust, heavy metal, one-way ANOVA, enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index.