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MICROSCOPICAL ANALYSIS OF AEROSOLS COLLECTED IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
Citation:
Draftz, R. AND K. Severin. MICROSCOPICAL ANALYSIS OF AEROSOLS COLLECTED IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-80/027 (NTIS PB80167026), 1980.
Description:
A study of the concentration of total suspended particulates (TSP) was conducted at two sampling sites in St. Louis, Missouri during July 1975. One site located at the southeastern boundary of the city was adjacent to an industrial area. The other sampling site was located in the commercial downtown area of St. Louis. Selected filters were analyzed microscopically to determine the types and sources of particles contributing to the TSP. The principal cause of high TSP concentrations, except for one sample from the industrial site, was the mineral calcite, which accounted for approximately 50% to 80% of the total TSP at both sites. The highest TSP concentration--214.4 microgram/cu m recorded at the site near the industrial area--was the only sample that showed significant contributions from industrial sources. Approximately 60-75% of the TSP was due to coal and coke particles, probably produced for, or used in, metallurgical reduction. Another 5-15% of the TSP was composed of titanium dioxide and hydrated iron oxides, probably from pigment production.