Atlas of airborne particles from Kozani area, Northern Greece

Abstract

During a whole year (March 2003 to February 2004, several filters that capture airborne particles were collected from seven sampling sites spread throughout the Ptolemais-Kozani region (Western Macedonia), northern Greece. Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX) was employed for the characterisation of the airborne particles. A classification of these airborne particles is attempted in this study. Aerosols with various morphological characteristics (angular, irregular, rounded, spherical, spheroidal, acicular), variable size (mostly between 5ßm and 20pm) and composition (aluminosilicates, oxides, carbonates, sulphates, metallic) were recognized. The airborne particulates were also categorized according to their origin. Geogenie, biogenic, anthropogenic (mainly fly ash released from lignite-fired power plants), carbonaceous and metalliferous (mainly iron and copper enriched) were the main categories. A database of characteristic airborne particles from Kozani area is being created using a simple software package, in order to help similar studies in the future.-1421http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 05/07/2020 11:44:43 | προσδιορίστηκαν στην παρούσα μελέτη), με σκοπό να βοηθήσει παρόμοιες μελλοντικές έρευνες στην περιοχή. Λέξεις κλειδιά: SEM/EDX, προέλευση, ανθρωπογενή, γεωγενή, βιογενή.

Heavy Metal Load in Airborne Magnetic Particles from Anthropogenic Activities in a Contaminated Area in Northern Greece and Their Environmental Impact

“…This area has been of environmental concern, as soil, water, and air pollution is intense. Heavy air pollution problems have been demonstrated, that are mainly attributed to the extensive mining and burning of lignite for energy production [4]. Groundwater quality, and the soil and sediments of the Sarigiol basin in northwestern Greece have been severely deteriorated by high concentrations of hexavalent chromium originating from the dispersion of fly ash from the local lignite-burning power plant [5,6].…”