Abstract
Preliminary studies have been carried on the characterization of particulate emissions from the Ampellum S.A. copper smelter in the town of Zlatna, Romania. The particulates studied were collected on polycarbonate filters using air pump apparatus and on the surfaces of lichens. Mass of total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM10 varied from 19 to 230 μg/m3 and 3 to 146 μg/m3, respectively (PM10/TSP = 0.14 to 1.0), depending on wind direction and proximity to the smelter. Particulates on collection filters from a site directly downwind from the smelter have a mean equivalent spherical diameter (ESD) of 0.94 μm (s.d. 1.1) and are dominantly made up of material with the composition of anglesite (PbSO4). The remainder of the material is a heterogeneous mixture of silicates and Fe-, Pb- and Cu-bearing phases. Particulates > 5 μm ESD are rare on the TSP filters, mainly due to the restricted sampling durations possible with the equipment used (<3 hours). Particulates have therefore been studied in the lichen Acarospora smaragdula, which was growing on posts downwind from the smelter and which was found to contain high levels and a broader range of particulates compared with the filters (<5 to 100 μm in diameter). Larger particles include 20-30 μm diameter Fe-rich spherules, which occasionally have Pb- and S-rich encrustations on their surfaces. The nature and possible health effects of the particulates are discussed and recommendations made for future studies.
Recommended Citation
Williamson, Ben J.; Har, Nicolae; Purvis, William O.; and Rusu, Ana Maria
(2003)
Preliminary studies of airborne particulate emmisions from the Ampellum S.A. copper smelter, Zlatna, Romania,
Studia UBB Geologia
48
(1): 67-76
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/1937-8602.48.1.6
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geologia/vol48/iss1/art6
