Atmospheric Deposition of Solid Particles in the Area of Košice

Abstract

The total atmospheric deposition (AD) was sampled in the urban and industrial area with iron and steel works and other urban sources of pollution. The eleven sampling sites have been placed on the roof above the height of the surrounding buildings at a distance of between 1 and 15 kilometers from the largest industrial source of air pollution in Slovakia. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the AD of solid particles (PM) and the fluxes AD of elements (Fe, Al, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, As) were studied. Particle size distribution, SEM and EDX analysis were applied for PM characterization. Relatively high occurrence of fine particles under 10 µm (12.1 - 47.7%) were found in the samples. SEM and EDX analysis showed the presence of particles whose origin is mainly from emission sources of ironworks (Fe oxides, Fe-rich particles, Ca-rich particles, Mn-Fe oxides). The extremely high values of AD of Fe (18,551 and 27,232 µg.m-2.day-1) and Mn (695 and 1295 µg.m-2.day-1) were measured at two sites near (1.3 and 4.5 km) the iron and steel works compared to the AD of the other areas. The portion of emission sources iron and steel works on the AD of Fe and PM fluxes at the individual sites in the city was calculated in the range of 21.8 to 51.4%. The results from 2009–2014 are introduced.