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Mass closure of total suspended particles over the coal burning power production area of western Macedonia, Greece

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Abstract

Ambient suspended particles (TSP) were collected from January to June 2001 at seven sampling sites in western Macedonia, Greece, where four thermal power stations are located. TSP samples were chemically characterized for minerals (Fe, Al, Mg, Ca, K, Ti and Si), trace elements (P, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, V, Zn, Te, Co, Ni, Se, Sr, As, and Sb), water-soluble ions \(\left( {{\text{Cl}}^ - {\text{, NO}}_{\text{3}}^ - {\text{, SO}}_{\text{4}}^{{\text{2}} - } {\text{, Na}}^{\text{ + }} {\text{, K}}^{\text{ + }} {\text{, NH}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{ + }} {\text{, Ca}}^{{\text{2 + }}} {\text{, Mg}}^{{\text{2 + }}} } \right)\), carbonaceous compounds (OC/EC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These classes of compounds were consequently compared with PM mass concentrations of TSP in order to perform mass closure. PM chemical compositions exhibited differences at the seven sites. Minerals were found to be more abundant at four sites, electrolytes dominated the composition at two of the sites while carbonaceous material was most abundant only at one site. The fraction unaccounted for ranged between 22 and 34%. Spatial variations of atmospheric concentrations showed significantly higher levels of minerals, some trace metals and TC at the site that was closest to the power plants. At the same site ions exhibited high correlations with minerals and the majority of trace elements.

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Acknowledgement

This study was financially supported by the Public Power Corporation (PPC) of Greece.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Aristotle University, G-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Eleni Terzi & Constantini Samara

  2. Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic School, Aristotle University, G-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Chrysoula Anatolaki & Roxani Tsitouridou

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  1. Eleni Terzi
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  2. Chrysoula Anatolaki
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  4. Roxani Tsitouridou
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Correspondence to Roxani Tsitouridou.

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Terzi, E., Anatolaki, C., Samara, C. et al. Mass closure of total suspended particles over the coal burning power production area of western Macedonia, Greece. J Atmos Chem 59, 171–186 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-008-9100-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10874-008-9100-7

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