Mineralogy and morphology of dust storms particles in Khuzestan Province: XRD and SEM analysis concerning

Study of physical and chemical characteristics of dust storms in Iran is necessary. In this regard, 10 samples from Khozestan dust storms in 1387 and 1388 were collected for XRD and SEM studies. XRD result show that mineralogical composition of these dust particles can be divided into three groups: (1) Carbonate group (calcite mineral), (2) Silicate group (quartz mineral) and (3) Clay group (Kaoline mineral). The most important minor phase is Gypsum. SEM studies indicate that these particles were found in rounded, irregular, prismatic and rhombic shapes. Average size of these particles ranges from 2 to 44 µm. Minimum and maximum sizes were reported for clay, sulfate and carbonate minerals. In general, dust particles in Khuzestan dust storms were distributed in 2 to 52 µm but 10 to 22 µm is dominant size of these particles.