TITLE:
Quantification of Phases in Lahore (Pakistan) Airborne Particulates by Matrix-Flushing Method
AUTHORS:
Naveed Ahmad, Khadim Hussain, Shahzad Naseem
KEYWORDS:
Airborne Particulates; GFC Filters; Mass Concentration; Matrix-Flushing Method; Mass Spectrometry
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.1 No.4,
July
23,
2013
ABSTRACT: The mass concentrations of eighteen airborne samples collected from Lahore (Pakistan) are found in the range from 595 to 3027μg/m3with average value of 1130 μg/m3. Most of these values are normal and as reported in the literature for other parts of the world. The major phases identified in the samples by the X-ray powder diffraction technique are Albite (Anorthite), Calcite, Clinochlore (Chlorite), Gypsum, Illite, Quartz and Talc which have also been reported by other researchers to be present in the airborne particulates of other world locations. The average weight percentages of the phases (minerals) in the samples are respectively 15.5, 10.6, 23.7, 2.4, 19.1, 20.2, and 8.5. Some of the elements (e.g., boron, cadmium, lithium, manganese, titanium, and zinc) quantified in two samples determined using a spark-source mass spectrometer appear also to derive their origin from man-made activities. However no compound synthesized in the atmosphere is detected by the X-ray diffraction method.