Mineralogy, geochemistry and morphology of the dust storms particles in the city of Gonabad

Recently Gonabad, south of Khorasan Razavi Province, in eastern Iran is affected by dust storm phenomena. To determine the physical and chemical characteristics of dust particles and their role in environmental pollution, 9 samples were collected for XRF, XRD, SEM and EDX micro analysis. XRD analysis showed that most of mineralogical composition comprise tectosilicates (quartz and alkali feldspar), carbonates (calcite) and clay minerals. XRF results show that the composition of major oxides at these dust particles is similar to other dust particles in the world. Enrichment factor for measured elements show that Co, Cu, Ba ¡ V with EF10 are anthropogenic. SEM analysis shows that spherical, irregular and prismatic forms are the most important constituent shapes of the dust particles of Gonabad.