International Journal of Chemistry and Material Science Vol. 1(9), pp. 210-225, September, 2013 ISSN 2327-5553 ©2013 Academe Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

X-ray diffractometric examination and elemental composition of solid aerosols collected from different zones of Faisalabad (Pakistan) by Matrix-Flushing Method

MAK Shahid¹* and K. Hussain²

¹Department of Physics, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

²Centre for High Energy Physics, University of the Punjab, New Campus, Lahore-4590, Pakistan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: profkhan786@yahoo.com.

Accepted 21 August, 2013

Abstract

For this study, 14 samples for the overall compound phase analysis, 20 samples for mass concentration and physical appearance, and 50 samples from different zones for compound phase analysis were collected from Faisalabad (Pakistan) and are found in the range of 395 to 1180 µg/m³ with the average value of 787.5 µg/m³ for Faisalabad respectively. Most of these values are normal as reported in the literature of 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 solid aerosols of other world locations. The average weight percentages of the phases in the samples are 47.88, 22.04, 24.55, 11.02, 21.75 and 9.12 respectively for Faisalabad. Some trace metals like Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, Ca, Ni, Cd, Mg, Cr and Co, were also detected to have no indication of location and zoning showing the hetrogenious distribution of compound phases and these trace metals. The same is true with gren gases. The results were compared with local and international studies and Faisalabad was found to be polluted as other cities of Pakistan and the world.

Key words: Solid aerosols, glass fiber filters, mass concentration, matrix-flushing method, x-ray differactometery, compound phase analysis, elemental composition, misfit maping.