Characterisation Of Airborne Particles Collected proximal To Lignite Mines And Power Plants Of ptolemais-kozani Area, Northern Greece

摘要

Several filters of total suspended particles (TSP) were collected from two sampling sites, situated near opencast lignite mines and lignite-fired power plants, within the Ptol-emais-Kozani region, northern Greece. Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM), coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX) was employed for the characterisation of individual airborne particles trapped into TSP filters. Mining activities along with lignite burning contributed to the heavy air pollution load of one site, while fugitive dust from power plants were the main air pollutants in the other sampling site. High TSP concentrations have been favored due to stagnation and light surface winds. Characteristic ESEM images of airborne particles are presented in this study. Particles were categorized as geogenic, biogenic and anthropogenic (mainly fly ash released from the power plants) and found to agree with the explanation given by means of meteorology and local terrain characteristics.