Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T12:58:35.907Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Specimen Standards for X-Ray Spectrometric Analysis of Atmospheric Aerosols

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

Bruce E. Artz
Affiliation:
State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222
Henry Chessin
Affiliation:
State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222
Get access

Abstract

Specimen standards have been prepared for elemental quantitative analysis of atmospheric aerosols by means of x-ray spectrometry. Efforts were made so that the standards were similar to the samples actually collected in the atmosphere. Soluable salts were placed in a completely enclosed, self-contained bubbler system so as to ensure uniform rate of flow through the filters on which elements were collected. The standards were deposited for various time intervals in the bubbler system and then weighed on a microbalance. Aerodynamic flow ensured that the specimens were uniformly distributed throughout the filter. Very satisfactory calibration curves were constructed of intensity versus mass of element. For low concentrations of the soluable salts and relatively small amounts of total material collected straight line relationships can be obtained for calibration curves. These amounts are mostly well within those actually collected in the field. The problem of impurity levels in collection filters which can far exceed the levels detected in the aerosols has been given careful consideration in the selection of filters used. Absorption-enhancement effects appear to be unimportant at the low concentration levels delt with. Interference problems with lead, arsenic, and bromine are discussed and appropriate calibration curves shown. A set of atmospheric specimens are analysed for several elements placing atmospheric aerosol analysis on a quantitative basis.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1973

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Chessin, H and McLaren, E. H., “X-ray Spectrometric Determination of Atmospheric Aerosols,” Birks, L. S., Editor, Advances in X-ray Analysis, Vol. 16, p.165176, Plenum Press (1972).Google Scholar
2. Bertin, E. P., Principles and Practices of X-ray Spectrometric Analysis, p.387, Plenum Press (1972).Google Scholar
3. Dams, R., Rahn, K.A., Winchester, J.W., “Evaluation of Filter Material and Impaction Surfaces for Nondestructive Neutron Activation Analysis of Aerosols,” Environmental Science and Technology, Vol.6, p.441448, (1972).Google Scholar
4. Linke, W.F., Solubilities-Inorganic and Metal-Organic Compounds, Am. Chem. Soc.,(1965).Google Scholar
5. Bertin, E.P., Principles and Practices of X-ray Spectrometric Analysis, p.347348, Plenum Press (1972).Google Scholar