Influence of a nickel smelter plant on the mineralogical composition of attic dust in the Tikveš Valley, Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

Mineral phases and their content were determined in attic dust samples collected from 27 houses in the Tikveš Valley, Republic of Macedonia. By using quantitative X-ray diffraction, the principal mineral phases were determined to be the serpentinite group (chrysotile, lizardite) and amphibole group of minerals (ribecite, tremolite, actinolite) present in the attic dust samples from this region which are not common constituents of urban dust. Strong correlations existed between these mineral phases in the dust and those in ores processed at a ferronickel smelter plant situated in this region. Spatial distributions of specific mineral phases were made and were consistent with wind directions and predicted deposition (60-70 %) of dust emitted from the metallurgical plant.

Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of particle PM10 in Tikveš area and their infuence in the environment

“…The higher content of Al and Fe was also found in the samples from the village of Vozarci. Slightly increased contents were also found for some other elements (Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn) in PM10 from Vozarci compared with those from Kavadarci [20]. In general, it was found that the total content of the analyzed elements (Al, Fe, P, B, Ba, Ti, Cr, Mn, Pb, Bi, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sr) is higher in PM10 from Vozarci than in those from Kavadarci.…”

“…It was found that the average concentration of PM10 determined in the vicinity of the village of Vozarci is 630 μm/m 3 , while in the area of the city of Kavadarci it is 210 μm/m 3 measured in the same 12 days period [20]. The distribution of PM10 collected in the vicinity of the village of Vozarci for the period of 24 hours is shown in Figure 2.…”

“…The results of the concentrations of PM10 show that the concentration of PM10 in the vicinity of the village Vozarci (close to the ferronickel smelter) was much higher than in the urban area of the city of Kavadarci [20]. It was found that the average concentration of PM10 determined in the vicinity of the village of Vozarci is 630 μm/m 3 , while in the area of the city of Kavadarci it is 210 μm/m 3 measured in the same 12 days period [20].…”

“…Determination of the concentration of investigated elements was performed by the method of mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS), using the Agilent model 7500 in the laboratory of the Goce Delčev University from Štip [20].…”

“…Point analysis was used to characterize the samples in high-vacuum mode, using an accelerating voltage of 15 kV and a spot size of 6. Back-scattered electron (BSE) images of selected fields of view were taken to examine SEM-based characteristics [21]. The SEM-EDS analyses were performed at the Actlabs from Ancaster, Ontario.…”