Article: Chemistry and mineralogy studies of PM10 atmospheric aerosols in the Gulf of Gabès, South Tunisia Journal: International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy (IJETP) 2014 Vol.10 No.2 pp.125 - 144 Abstract: This study provides a comprehensive report on mass concentrations, chemical composition and mineralogy characterisations of PM10 atmospheric aerosols in the Gulf of Gabès, in South Tunisia. Data were collected at 18 locations (sample points in urban zones with industrial influence). Principally, they were located near the industrial complex. At each sample point, PM10 was measured, with a mobile monitoring unit equipped with real-time analysers, which generated a mean value of each pollutant for an interval of 15 min. The duration of this measurement campaign was 20 days successive in 2007. In this study, statistical and geostatistical techniques were used to estimate PM10. After analysing data and obtaining a good variogram, multivariate data analysis, cartography via ordinary kriging was used to estimate PM10 concentration at unsampled locations. The mineral phase identified by X-ray powder diffraction technique and SEM-EDX provides information about morphology and chemical composition of PM10. The result shows that PM10 samples were enriched with metal elements specially Fe and Cd, and it shows also that the minerals phases identified in the samples were calcite, gypsum and dolmite. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Chemistry and mineralogy studies of PM₁₀ atmospheric aerosols in the Gulf of Gabès, South Tunisia

Authors: Dalila Taieb; Ammar Ben Brahim

Addresses: Applied Thermodynamics Research Unit (99/UR/11-21), National Engineering School of Gabès, Gabès University, Rue Omar Ibn-Elkhattab 6029 Gabès, Tunisia ' Applied Thermodynamics Research Unit (99/UR/11-21), National Engineering School of Gabès, Gabès University, Rue Omar Ibn-Elkhattab 6029 Gabès, Tunisia

Abstract: This study provides a comprehensive report on mass concentrations, chemical composition and mineralogy characterisations of PM₁₀ atmospheric aerosols in the Gulf of Gabès, in South Tunisia. Data were collected at 18 locations (sample points in urban zones with industrial influence). Principally, they were located near the industrial complex. At each sample point, PM₁₀ was measured, with a mobile monitoring unit equipped with real-time analysers, which generated a mean value of each pollutant for an interval of 15 min. The duration of this measurement campaign was 20 days successive in 2007. In this study, statistical and geostatistical techniques were used to estimate PM₁₀. After analysing data and obtaining a good variogram, multivariate data analysis, cartography via ordinary kriging was used to estimate PM₁₀ concentration at unsampled locations. The mineral phase identified by X-ray powder diffraction technique and SEM-EDX provides information about morphology and chemical composition of PM₁₀. The result shows that PM₁₀ samples were enriched with metal elements specially Fe and Cd, and it shows also that the minerals phases identified in the samples were calcite, gypsum and dolmite.

Keywords: dust; industrial pollution; PM10; metals; mineralogy; chemistry analysis; geostatistical techniques; ordinary kriging; Tunisia; air pollution; air quality; atmospheric aerosols.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2014.066329

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2014 Vol.10 No.2, pp.125 - 144

Accepted: 18 Jun 2014
Published online: 27 Dec 2014 *

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Title: Chemistry and mineralogy studies of PM10 atmospheric aerosols in the Gulf of Gabès, South Tunisia

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Title: Chemistry and mineralogy studies of PM₁₀ atmospheric aerosols in the Gulf of Gabès, South Tunisia