A study of physical and chemical forms of 7BE in air particulates of Damascus city

Physical and chemical forms of 7Be in air particulates of Damascus city during 1997-1998 have been studied. Results have shown that 7Be is mainly attached to particulates having 0.95 μ diameters. In addition, a difference between 7Be concentrations in air particulates collected by TSP filters and PM10 filters has been observed. This difference could be used to evaluate the amount of 7Be due to air suspension. Moreover, results have also shown that the chemical forms of 7Be differ from one month to another according to weather conditions, 7Be was found to be in an exchangeable form in wet months and undissolved form in dry months. (author)