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Analysis of nickel refinery dusts
M H Draper1, J H Duffus, P John
1Edinburgh Centre for Toxicology, UK.
The Science of the Total Environment
|June 6, 1994
Summary
Historical nickel refinery dust samples from Clydach, Wales, were analyzed. The 1920 sample contained significantly more arsenic and the unique mineral orcelite compared to the 1929 sample, indicating varying surface arsenic availability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Historical Analysis
Background:
- Nickel refining processes can generate hazardous dust.
- Historical industrial sites require detailed environmental characterization.
- Understanding past industrial emissions is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize historical nickel refinery dust samples from Clydach, Wales.
- To compare the composition and mineralogy of samples from 1920 and 1929.
- To assess the surface availability of arsenic compounds in these historical dusts.
Main Methods:
- Inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopic (ICP-ES) analysis for bulk elemental composition.
- X-ray powder diffraction for mineral identification.
- Single particle techniques including scanning electron microscopy--energy dispersive X-ray analysis and laser beam ionization mass spectrometry (LIMA) for detailed analysis.
Main Results:
- Samples from 1920 and 1929 exhibited small particle sizes (0.75-24 microns).
- The 1920 sample contained 10% arsenic, while the 1929 sample had 1% arsenic.
- Orcelite (Ni5-XAs2) was identified in the 1920 sample, and copper oxide (CuO) in the 1929 sample. LIMA confirmed prominent arsenic peaks on the surfaces of both samples.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in arsenic content and mineralogy exist between the 1920 and 1929 nickel refinery dust samples.
- The presence of orcelite in the 1920 sample highlights specific historical process variations.
- Surface analysis confirms the availability of arsenic compounds in both historical dust samples, relevant for environmental and health risk assessments.
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