Detailed morphological, chemical and mineralogical characterisation of airborne particulate matter (PM) in urban areas is highly important due to its possible detrimental effects on human health and identification of its main sources. PM can be collected directly from air by various sampling and measuring equipment or by sampling those urban media which are recognised as sinks of airborne PM. One of the media that can be used for such purposes is snow, which is highly effective collector of airborne PM. Five snow samples were collected in the urban area of Maribor. Sampling was performed at locations close to the industrial zones and in the old town centre. Snow samples were melted and filtered (( 0.6 µm) to obtain particulate matter, which was analysed by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Qualitative and semi-quantitative chemical analysis of more than 4,400 PSE-bearing particles was performed. Based on their morphological and chemical characteristics, particles were grouped into nine groups: Fe-oxides (particles consisting mainly of Fe and O), Spherical Fe-oxides (spherical particles consisting mainly of Fe and O), Fe-alloys (particles consisting mainly of Fe and smaller concentrations of other PTE, without O), Fe-silicates (particles consisting mainly of Fe, Si and O), Sulphates/Sulphides (particles in which main constituent is S), Other metal oxides (metal oxides without Fe), Other metal alloys (alloys of various metals, without Fe and O), Spherical Si-particles (oxide spherical particles, consisting mainly of Si and/or other elements, like Al, Ca, K, Mg) and Other particles (mainly particles of minerals of geogenic origin, like rutile, ilmenite, zircon). The main PTE-bearing phase at all sampling sites was iron oxide (pure FeO and FeO with addition of small concentrations of other elements, mostly metals), which represented from 70% to 92% of all analysed particles. They can originate from both, geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Of the other groups of particles, those to which anthropogenic origin can be attributed are particularly interesting. These are: all spherical particles, Fe-alloys, Other metal alloys and some individual particles of the remaining groups. Particles, mostly shavings, consisting of Fe-Cr (Ni, Cu, Mn) represented a significant part of particulate matter at two sites close to the Melje industrial zone. They probably originate from metal furniture factory and/or foundry. Interesting Cu-Zn particles were detected only at sampling site close to the foundry, Spherical Fe-oxides are typical for the Tezno industrial zone. Spherical Si-particles particles and naturally occurring minerals (e.g. ilmenite, barite) were detected throughout the whole town. Thus, with presented study, we identified the predominant types of PTE-bearing particles deposited in the snow. Based on the morphological characteristics of the particles, their chemical composition and spatial distribution, we identified particles of geogenic and anthropogenic origin. We found certain differences in the properties and percentages of particles between individual sample sites. Both industrial areas (Melje and Tezno) are characterized by high percentages of particles of anthropogenic origin. Differences between the two areas are also noticeable, reflecting the differences in industrial activities.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2984021
Elemental composition of topsoil, house and road dust samples collected on the whole area of Republic of Slovenia was statistically analysed using Pearson correlation coefficients and factor analysis. Statistical analysis showed that sampled material reflected different particle sources. Topsoil was majorly influenced by lithology it was developed on, while house and road dust elemental composition was influenced also by deposition of solid particles suspended in atmosphere. Five significant elemental associations representing major particle sources were recognized for road dust. Topsoil resuspension was the main source of road dust elemental association Al, Ce, Co, Cs, Fe, Ga, K, La, Nb, Li, P, Rb, Sc, Y, Th, Tl and V, while emissions connected with urbanization and traffic contributed elements such as Ag, Au, Ba, Bi, Cu, Mo, Sb, Sn and Zn. Industrial emissions, mainly those from steel mills, were characterized with elemental association Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, V and W. Road dust elemental composition also showed impact of degradation of construction material (Ca and Sr) and resuspension of polluted soil induced by historical mining and smelting activity (As, Ba, Cd, Mo, Pb, Tl and Zn). Elemental composition of house dust was not influenced only by outdoor sources such as resuspended or tracked-in soil particles (elemental association Al, As, Co, Cs, Fe, Ga, K, Mn, Nb, Li, P, Rb, Sc, Y, Th, Tl, U and V) but also by indoor sources such as smoking (elemental association Ce and La) and construction material degradation (elemental association Ca and Sr). Important influence on house dust elemental composition had also the residents’ occupation, such as dentists (elemental association Ag, Au and Pd) and workers in metal processing (elemental association Cr, Mo, Ni and W). Deposition of particles dispersed in atmosphere had therefore the biggest effect on road dust elemental composition. With appropriate preparation of samples, road dust can be useful tool for assessment of atmospheric solid particles elemental composition. House dust showed strong influences of indoor particle sources and particles that originate from residents’ occupation, a thing a bigger awareness shall be put to.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2987093