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Assessment of Metal Pollution Sources by SEM/EDS Analysis of Solid Particles in Snow: A Case Study of Žerjav, Slovenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2013

Miloš Miler  and
Mateja Gosar
Miloš Miler*
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva 14, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mateja Gosar
Affiliation:
Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva 14, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: milos.miler@geo-zs.si
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Abstract

Solid particles in snow deposits, sampled in mining and Pb-processing area of Žerjav, Slovenia, have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Identified particles were classified as geogenic–anthropogenic, anthropogenic, and secondary weathering products. Geogenic–anthropogenic particles were represented by scarce Zn- and Pb-bearing ore minerals, originating from mine waste deposit. The most important anthropogenic metal-bearing particles in snow were Pb-, Sb- and Sn-bearing oxides and sulphides. The morphology of these particles showed that they formed at temperatures above their melting points. They were most abundant in snow sampled closest to the Pb-processing plant and least abundant in snow taken farthest from the plant, thus indicating that Pb processing was their predominant source between the last snowfall and the time of sampling. SEM/EDS analysis showed that Sb and Sn contents in these anthropogenic phases were higher and more variable than in natural Pb-bearing ore minerals. The most important secondary weathering products were Pb- and Zn-containing Fe-oxy-hydroxides whose elemental composition and morphology indicated that they mostly resulted from oxidation of metal-bearing sulphides emitted from the Pb-processing plant. This study demonstrated the importance of single particle analysis using SEM/EDS for differentiation between various sources of metals in the environment.

Keywords

recent metal pollutionsource influence assessmentSEM/EDSsnow depositmetal-bearing particleselemental compositionmorphology
Type
Materials Applications
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 19 , Issue 6 , December 2013 , pp. 1606 - 1619
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2013 

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