Environment: Scanning Electron Microscopy of dust precipitations

Within the context of an examination of the precipitation of dust at the months January to June, we were retained to characterize immission samples, but also contemplable emission sources, by scanning electron microscopy. At it, the focus was laid on the composition of the deposited dust. As main constituents plant remains (timber, leaves, grasses), insects, pollen, lignite particles, mineral phases, ash/fly ash bullets, fibers (textile fibers, glass fiber, etc.), gypsum, salt and others, like resin or synthetics (foil, plastics, etc.), were identified. Particularly distinct emerge the seasonal differences. While crystallization of salt occurs in winter, emitted due to increasingly road salt use, the amount of pollen increased in spring expectably, reaching its climax in May. Even an increased activity in agriculture could be detected. Here, the amount of mineral phases (quartz, feldspar, mica) increased.