XAFS studies of nickel and sulfur speciation in residual oil fly-ash particulate matters (ROFA PM).
XAFS spectroscopy has been employed to evaluate the effect of fuel compositions and combustion conditions on the amount, form, and distribution of sulfur and nickel in size-fractionated ROFA PM. Analysis of S K-edge XANES establish that sulfate is abundant in all PM. However, depending upon the combustion conditions, lesser amounts of thiophenic sulfur, metal sulfide, and elemental sulfur may also be observed. Least-squares fitting of Ni K-edge XANES reveals that most of the nickel in PM is present as bioavailable NiSO4.nH2O. The insoluble Ni mainly exists as a minor species, as nickel ferrite in PM2.5 (PM < 2.5 microm) and nickel sulfide, Ni(x)SY(y) in PM2.5+ (PM > 2.5 microm). The Ni K-edge XANES results are in agreement with the EXAFS data. Such detailed speciation of Ni and S in PM is needed for determining their mobility, bioavailability, and reactivity, and hence, their role in PM toxicity. This information is also important for understanding the mechanism of PM formation, developing effective remediation measures, and providing criteria for identification of potential emission sources. Transition metals complexing with sulfur is ubiquitous in nature. Therefore, this information on metal sulfur complex can be critical to a large body of environmental literature.
Pattanaik
Sidhartha
S
Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi - 630 006, Tamilnadu, India. sidpattanaik@yahoo.com
Huggins
Frank E
FE
Huffman
Gerald P
GP
Linak
William P
WP
Miller
C Andrew
CA
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis*; D060729:Coal Ash; D005648:Fuel Oils; D007220:Industrial Waste; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013455:Sulfur / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D014965:X-Rays
D000393:Air Pollutants; D060729:Coal Ash; D005648:Fuel Oils; D007220:Industrial Waste; D052638:Particulate Matter; D013455:Sulfur; D002244:Carbon; D009532:Nickel