Abstract
Depending on its nature, particulate matter has very different size, composition and morphology. By the combination of these criteria it is possible to distinguish the emitting sources (primary or secondary). The shape and the dimension of the particles have also a direct interaction with the risk assessment for human health. The minero-chemical complex consists of phosphate fertilizer manufacturing, rock phosphate and niobium mining open pits and it is located northeast of the urban area of the city. Environmental issues associated with it include the following: fugitive emissions which are primarily associated with operational leaks from tubing, valves, connections, flanges, packings, open ended lines, floating roof storage tank and pump seals, gas conveyance systems, compressor seals, pressure relief valves, tanks or open its/containments, and loading and unloading operations of products. Furthermore the area of study is characterized by a predominantly northeast winds direction. The monitoring was performed weekly particulates samples were collected in two seasonal episodes at one representative places in the urban area of Catalão (a Brazilian city located in Goiás state) in the period from August to November of 2014. Suspended particles were sampled on pure fiberglass filters by using a High Volume air sampler and were analyzed via an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis system (EDX). The airborne particulate matter was characterized from a physico-chemical point of view to supply information on the particle composition and the compounds carried on their surfaces. The microanalysis enables identification of several groups of particles such as: soot, Si-rich, metal-rich and biological particules. These results may help in controlling and preventing fugitive emissions in atmospheric air.
