The heterogeneous composition of working place aerosols in a nickel refinery: a transmission and scanning electron microscope study

Size, morphology and chemical composition of individual aerosol particles collected in a nickel refinery were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). The phase composition was determined by selected area electron diffraction and EDX in a transmission...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental monitoring 2002-06, Vol.4 (3), p.344-344
Main Authors: Weinbruch, Stephan, van Aken, Peter, Ebert, Martin, Thomassen, Yngvar, Skogstad, Asbjørn, Chashchin, Valery P, Nikonov, Alexander
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerosols - chemistry
Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis
Environmental Monitoring
Metallurgy
Microscopy, Electron
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Nickel - analysis
Nickel - chemistry
Particle Size
Workplace
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Summary:Size, morphology and chemical composition of individual aerosol particles collected in a nickel refinery were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). The phase composition was determined by selected area electron diffraction and EDX in a transmission electron microscope. Most particles are heterogeneous on a nanometer scale and consist of various phases. Nickel phases observed in the roasting and anode casting departments include metallic nickel, bunsenite (NiO), trevorite (Ni,Cu)Fe2O4, heazlewoodite Ni3S2, godlevskite (Ni,Cu)9S8, orthorhombic NiSO4 and an amorphous Ni,Cu.Al,Pb sulfate of variable composition. Additional phases encountered include corundum (Al2O3), murdochite (PbCu6O8), hexagonal Na2SO4, anhydrite (CaSO4), graphite (C) and amorphous carbon. The implications of the occurrence of the different Ni phases and their nanometer size for the study of adverse health effects are explored.
ISSN:1464-0325
DOI:10.1039/b110504n