Characterization of airborne particles collected in Duhok city (in Iraq), by using various techniques

Abstract

The contamination level of metals in the dust of Duhok (DK) city in Northern Iraq (an urban area) was investigated. Particulate matter (PM) accumulated on Funnel container was examined in order to investigate the air that people are exposed to. The morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition of a variety of particles were studied using Reflected light microscope (RLM), Atomic Absorption spectrometer (AAS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). The particles exhibited different morphologies and composition, indicating mostly a soil origin. The concentration of the following heavy metals (Fe), (Mn), (Cu), (Pb), (Zn), (Cd), (Ni) and (Co) are investigated by (AAS). The average values of concentration of most of the heavy metals in summer season were higher than other seasons. Amongst individual particles of tested dust by EDX were Si, Fe, Ca, Al, Mg, Ti, and K. And the predominant elements are Si (16.79 Wt%), Fe (10.68 Wt%), Ca (10.67 Wt%) and Al (5.99 Wt%).