Features of the chemical composition of fine suspended particles in the atmospheric air of residential and industrial zones of the city of Sibay, Republic of Bashkortostan

Introduction. Atmospheric particulate matter as a negative environmental factor can be a significant hazard depending on their size, morphometric and physicochemical characteristics.

The purpose of the study. To investigate the elemental composition of finely dispersed suspended particles in the atmospheric air of the industrial zones of the mining center of the Bashkir Trans-Urals — the city of Sibay.

Materials and methods. Air sampling was carried out in the industrial area of ​​Sibay using an AVA-3-240/180-01 automatic three-channel air aspirator with AFA-VP-20 filters. Microscopy of samples and determination of the elemental composition of dust emissions were carried out at the Interdisciplinary Center “Analytical Microscopy” of the Kazan Federal University (Kazan) on a universal analytical complex for scanning field emission electron microscopy Merlin (Carl Zeiss).

Results. On electron micrographs, there were identified particles of various sizes, mostly round in shape with clear edges, located solitary. In the automatic mode of processing the spectra, the peaks of the elements in the spectrum were automatically recognized and identified. In addition to carbon and oxygen, the calcium, iron, silicon, potassium, aluminium, copper, sulphur, sodium and magnesium are main chemical constituents of particulate matter encountered at all sampling points. Zinc was present in dust samples at three points, scandium, titanium, cobalt, barium, and manganese — only at one point. The possibility of the relation between the content of fine particles in the air and the increased incidence of cardiovascular, bronchopulmonary diseases, including asthma, in the population of Sibay is discussed.

Limitations. The study of the elemental composition of fine dust in the city of Sibay was carried out using atmospheric air samples taken at 5 points located in residential and industrial areas.

Conclusion. The increased content of fine particles in the atmospheric air of the city of Sibay increases the risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as other health abnormalities, in the population permanently residing near industrial zones. The obtained data on the parameters of dust particles are the basis for assessing the share contribution of industrial enterprises to air pollution and making management decisions to improve the environmental situation in the industrial center of the mining region.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the submission of a biomedical ethics committee opinion or other documents.

Contribution:
Rafikov S.Sh. — the concept and design of the study, collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Suleimanov R.A. — the concept and design of the study, processing of material, writing a text;
Semenova I.N. — the concept and design of the study, processing of material, writing a text;
Rafikova Yu.S. — the concept of the study, writing a text;
Valeev T.K., Rakhmatullin N.R., Rakhmatullina L.R. — writing a text.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: June 10, 2022/ Revised: October 6, 2023/ Accepted: June 19, 2024 / Published: July 17, 2024