Mineralogical Characteristics of Aerosols Collected at Matsue and Kanazawa with a Special Reference to Neutralizing Effect on Acid Pollutants

Snow and rain samples werecollected during 1993 to 1995 in Kanazawa. The mineral compositions in aerosols during one year period from October, 1992 to September, 1993 were analyzed by scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray analyzer and X-ray powder diffractometer.

Major particles were grouped into aerosol types :crustal minerals(48-68%), fly ash(9-17%), sulfur constituents(4-26%), sea salt(0-3%),biological(1-5%)and miscellaneous particles(3-6%). About 80% of fly ashes had Al and Si as major compositions. Calcite and clay minerals were often closely associated with submicrometer S-rich particles, suggesting that they acted as carriers of surfur pollutants and played an important role in the cycle of S constituents during transport.