Characteristics of Particles in the Atmosphere and Rainwater before and after Blast Furnace Shutdown at Steel Works

Abstract

To clarify the characteristics of atmospheric particles containing combustion-origin iron, atmospheric aerosol and wet deposition samples collected at coastal sites near the source of combustion-origin iron were analyzed. The concentration of water-soluble Fe was highly correlated with that of non-sea salt sulfate, indicating that anthropogenic contribution is significant. A steelworks, a major stationary source of combustion-derived iron near the coastal site, shut down its blast furnace during the observation period. As a result, the total amount of iron in aerosols at coastal sites decreased to 70% and the water solubility decreased to 50%.