Preliminary results of a study of attic and household dusts from Pb mining and smelting area in Žerjav by bulk chemical analyses and SEM/EDS analysis with the aim to characterize contribution of recent and past airborne metal pollution in order to understand present-day situation. The study showed that contents of Pb and Sb in dust exceed the New Dutchlist intervention values for soils by up to 135 and 55 times, respectively. Metal-bearing particles in attic dust occupy 22% of the sample. 50% of these (Cu-bearing anglesite, Zn-sulphate) probably originate from Pb-smelting, 27% of metal-bearing particles (pure anglesite, sphalerite, (Zn,Cu,Sn)-bearing Fe-oxyhydroxy sulphates) result from mining and mechanical ore/mine waste processing, while 23% (Pb-K sulphate, (Sb,Sn,Cl)-bearing anglesite, Pb-Sb-Sn-oxides and sulphates), emanate from present-day Pb-recycling. In the household dust, C-bearing particles (55%) prevail, while metal-bearing particles represent 4% of the sample. 77% of metal-bearing particles ((Pb,Zn)-bearing Fe- oxyhydroxides, barite), most probably originate from mining and mechanical ore/mine waste processing, 20% from Pb-smelting and 3% from present-day Pb-recycling. The influence of historical emissions from Pb-smelting, mining and mechanical ore/mine waste processing on dust composition was greater than that from present-day Pb-recycling as reflected in dust particle composition and associations.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 2557269Metal-bearing particles in attic and household dusts burdened with toxic metals from Žerjav were studied by means of SEM/EDS differential individual particle analysis (DIPA) in order to characterize changes in morphological and chemical properties of metal-bearing phases after exposure to simulated gastric fluid and determine which metal-bearing phases contribute to bioaccessible fraction of metals. The preliminary results of analysis showed different degree of transformation on metalbearing phases, particularly Pb-bearing phases. The majority of Pb-oxide/carbonate grains were completely dissolved, while corrosion pits appeared on remaining grains. Pb-K sulphate crystals reduced in size by 30% after 15 minutes and K was completely leached out. After 75 minutes they dissolved completely or were transformed into Pb-sulphates. Pb-sulphate grains and aggregates experienced minor corrosion on crystal surfaces. No changes were observed on Pb- and Zn-sulphides, Pb- and Fe-sulphates, and Pb-Sb-Sn-oxides. The study showed that Pb-oxides/carbonates, Pb-K sulphates and Pb-sulphates are unstable phases that contribute most to bioaccessibility of Pb during their digestion.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 2557013The methodology based on study of sources of solid metal-bearing pollutants and other natural and anthropogenic materials in contaminated environmental media with individual particle SEM/EDS analysis and a forensic approach, was used also in the economy. Thus, particles and inclusions on surfaces of synthetic fibers, as well as raw materials and by-products derived from production of fibers were investigated for the needs of textile industry, in order to determine the sources of defects in fibers that affect the quality of products. Based on comparison of morphology and composition of particles on fibers with raw materials and production by-products, it was found that the main sources of defects are mineral grain inclusions originating from additives used in the production, and partly also precipitates from preparation liquids. The findings contributed to the improvement of synthetic fiber production process.
F.17 Transfer of existing technologies, know-how, methods and procedures into practice
COBISS.SI-ID: 2505813The study deals with total content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), changes in the morphology and composition of PTE-bearing particles after exposure to simulated gastric acid, Hg binding forms, and Hg fraction soluble in stomach. Four Hg binding forms were identified, among which cinnabar predominates. Using SEM/EDS and DIPA analysis, the morphology and composition of Hg-bearing particles were determined before and after exposure to simulated gastric acid. Hg-bearing particles did not show any effects of dissolution, while other PTE-bearing particles were significantly morphologically or chemically altered.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 2556757The diploma thesis, in which I participated as a co-mentor, dealt with a former mining area of Savske jame above Jesenice in order to determine possible environmental burden with PTEs and its extent. Chemical analyses of stream sediments revealed increased contents of heavy metals, especially As and Hg, compared to local geochemical background. Using individual particle SEM/EDS analysis, the major metal- and metalloid-bearing phases were identified, which are of natural and partly of anthropogenic origin. Zn, Pb, As and Ag occur predominantly in ore minerals sphalerite, galena, arsenopyrite, cerussite and smithsonite, but are also present in secondary minerals, such as iron and manganese oxides and hydroxides, and anthropogenic franklinite. Ni and Cr are present mainly in particles of anthropogenic origin (spherical metal-bearing particles).
D.10 Educational activities
COBISS.SI-ID: 1278814