Provenance fingerprints of atmospheric dust collected at Granada city (Southern Iberian Peninsula). Evidence from quartz grains

Dust in the Earth́s atmosphere is increasing, particularly southern Spain. The study of dust properties allows for a hypothesis on origin and provenance dust. This characterised atmospheric deposited city Granada (south Spain) during three spring periods (samples 4PA, 16PA, 28PA, collected 2012, 2013, 2014, respectively). aim was to ascertain characteristics genesis using set methodological techniques. backward trajectories separated samples into two groups: scarce Saharan influence (sample 6% are from, or have passed through, Africa) greater 4PA 26% 33%, grouping verified by rest analysed, namely, PM10 concentration, deposition rates, grain size, mineralogy, elemental composition (minor, including rare earth elements). In addition, mineral quartz showed differences particle morphology surface microtextures. mineralogical geochemical studies our proved similarities with other soils from Iberian Peninsula. principal component analysis shape parameters insists differentiation these groups. We propose morphoscopy grains (a significant dust) as fingerprint provenance.