The heterogeneous composition of working place aerosols in a nickel refinery: a transmission and scanning electron microscope studyPresented at ENVIRONMIN 2001 at Skukuza, Kruger National Park, South Africa, 14–18 July 2001.Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: TEM bright field images, energy-dispersive X-ray spectra and electron diffraction patterns of various phases observed in the refinery at Monchegorsk; (a) godlevskite, (b) heazlewoodite, (c) bunsenite, (d) trevorite, (e) amorphous sulfate, (f) soot agglomerate with inclusions, (g) bunsenite. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/em/b1/b110504n/

Abstract

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.