Magnetic fraction of the atmospheric dust in Kraków – physicochemical characteristics and possible environmental impact

[摘要] It is well established that airborne, magnetic nano- andmicroparticles accumulate in human organs (e.g. brain) thereby increasing the risk ofvarious diseases (e.g. cancer, neurodegenerative diseases).Therefore, precise characterization of the material, including itsorigins, is a key factor in preventing further, uncontrolled emission andcirculation. The magnetic fraction of atmospheric dust was collected inKraków using a static sampler and analysed using several methods(scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry,transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry, X-raydiffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry(VSM) measurements). The magnetic fraction contains magnetite, hematite and α -Fe, as well as quartz, feldspar and pyroxene often attached to themagnetic particles. The magnetic particles vary in size, from over 20  µm to nanoparticles below 100 nm, as well as in morphology (irregular orspherical). Their chemical composition is dominated by Fe, often with Mn,Zn, Cr, Cu, Si, Al, S, Ca and other elements. Mössbauer spectroscopycorroborates the composition of the material, giving further indications ofparticles smaller than 100 nm present in the atmospheric dust. VSMmeasurements confirm that the strength of the magnetic signal can be treatedas a measure of the anthropogenic impact on the suspended particulate matter,once again highlighting the presence of nanoparticles.

[学科分类] 医学（综合）