Seasonal Variations of the Mineralogical Composition and the Organic Matter Content of Falling Dust in Thessaloniki During 2012-13

Abstract

The present study examines the annual variation of falling dust particles and their mineralogical composition and organic material in the city of Thessaloniki during June 2012-May 2013. Mineralogical analysis and organic material were conducted in the <63 mu m fraction offalling dust samples collected from rooftop levels from three sampling locations, East, Central and West Thessaloniki. This study indicated that calcite and quartz are the major inorganic constituents of the <63 mu m fraction, while organic content show increased amount during winter. The latter attributed to the uncontrolled burning of biomass burners for domestic heating.