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Tadeusz Magiera, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences (Poland)
Mariola Jablonska, University of Silesia (Poland)
Janeczek Janusz, University of Silesia (Poland)
Bzowska Grazyna, University of Silesia (Poland)
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The aim of the study was to study mineral composition of dust samples collected in 6 cities of Upper Silesian Industrial Region in southern Poland. A special estimates was paid to magnetic phases of dust. Semi-quantitative of the amount of magnetic phase were attempted by measurement of mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (Κ) on MS2B "BARTINGTON" magnetic sensor. In samples with high magnetic Κ values magnetic particles were separated from the bulk sample by hand magnet placed in ultrasonic cleaner in isopropanol. Measured Κ values ranged from very low 10 to 1577 10-8m3kg-1close to metallurgical industrial complex.
Both: magnetic and non-magnetic mineral fractions were also examined by x-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscope equipped with EDS detector. Most of magnetic particulates originated from coal combustion process and have spherical shape. In addition to predominant magnetite and maghaemite minerals with ferrite structure MeFe2O3, were observed in magnetic fraction. Iron in those ferrites was sometimes connected with Zn, Mg or Mn. Sulfides of Fe, Pb and Zn were also observed. Non-magnetic fraction consisted mainly of quartz, gypsum, anhydrite, feldspars, sylvine and clay minerals. High concentrations of atmospheric magnetic dust particles accumulated in an uppermost layer of forest topsoil in many areas of Upper Silesia. Magnetic particles are good tracers of industrial and urban dust deposition and their occurrence correlates well with to anthropogenic trace element concentrations in forest topsoil.
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