Magnetic fraction of the atmospheric dust in Kraków – physicochemical characteristics and possible environmental impact
Jan Marek Michalik1,Wanda Wilczyńska-Michalik2,Łukasz Gondek1,Waldemar Tokarz1,Jan Żukrowski3,Marta Gajewska3,and Marek Michalik4Jan Marek Michalik et al.Jan Marek Michalik1,Wanda Wilczyńska-Michalik2,Łukasz Gondek1,Waldemar Tokarz1,Jan Żukrowski3,Marta Gajewska3,and Marek Michalik4
1AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, Department of Solid State Physics, A. Mickiewicza Av. 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
2Pedagogical University, Institute of Geography, ul. Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, Poland
3AGH University of Science and Technology, Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, A. Mickiewicza Av. 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
4Jagiellonian University, Institute of Geological Sciences, ul. Gronostajowa 3a, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
1AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, Department of Solid State Physics, A. Mickiewicza Av. 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
2Pedagogical University, Institute of Geography, ul. Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, Poland
3AGH University of Science and Technology, Academic Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, A. Mickiewicza Av. 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
4Jagiellonian University, Institute of Geological Sciences, ul. Gronostajowa 3a, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
Received: 08 Jun 2022 – Discussion started: 04 Jul 2022
Abstract. Magnetic fraction of the atmospheric dust was collected in Kraków using a static sampler and analysed using several methods (scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectrometry, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements). The magnetic fraction contains magnetite, hematite and α-Fe, as well as quartz, feldspar and pyroxene. The magnetic particles vary in size from above 20 μm to nanoparticles below 100 nm, as well as in morphology (irregular or spherical). Their chemical composition is dominated by Fe, often with Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, Si, Al, S, Ca and other elements. Mössbauer spectroscopy corroborates the composition of the material, giving further indication of smaller than 100 nm particles present in the atmospheric dust. VSM measurements confirm that the strength of the magnetic signal can be treated as a meter of the anthropogenic impact on the suspended particulate matter, once again highlighting the presence of nanoparticles.
Magnetic fraction of the aerosols in Kraków was collected and analysed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectrometry, and magnetometry. It contains metallic Fe or Fe-rich alloy and Fe oxides. Occurrence of nanometre scale Fe3O4 particles (predominantly of anthropogenic origin) is shown. Our results can be useful in a determination of the sources and transport of pollutants, potential harmful effects, etc.
Magnetic fraction of the aerosols in Kraków was collected and analysed using scanning and...