An integrated analytical approach , based on the employement of separative techniques, the gravitational sedimentation and the Sedimentation Field Flow Fractionation (SdFFF), combined with the identificative Inductive Coupled Plasma –Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) technique, is presented for the elemental and dimensional characterization of atmospheric fine aerosols and, in particular, for its submicronic fraction, obtained by gravitational sedimentation (operational cut-off <2 micron). The natural sample particle matter <10 micron (PM10), was transferred from collection filters into slurry aqueous solution, via ultrasonic agitation. The direct slurry sample analysis by ICP-AES, evaluated to be accurate enough for the investigation of heavy metal occurrence, was shown able to provide prompt analytical answer, thanks to its instrumental multi-elemental performances, either for the total PM10 sample and relative sub-samples, obtained by gravitational sedimentation. The considered heavy metals of environmental interest were Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn and Pb. The SdFFF fractionation was applied to the sub-sample <2 micron to determine the particle size distribution. The collected fractions were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
Atmospheric particulate matter: dimensional and elemental characterization
BLO, Gabriella;CONATO, Chiara;CONTADO, Catia;PAGNONI, Antonella;DONDI, Francesco
2006
Abstract
An integrated analytical approach , based on the employement of separative techniques, the gravitational sedimentation and the Sedimentation Field Flow Fractionation (SdFFF), combined with the identificative Inductive Coupled Plasma –Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) technique, is presented for the elemental and dimensional characterization of atmospheric fine aerosols and, in particular, for its submicronic fraction, obtained by gravitational sedimentation (operational cut-off <2 micron). The natural sample particle matter <10 micron (PM10), was transferred from collection filters into slurry aqueous solution, via ultrasonic agitation. The direct slurry sample analysis by ICP-AES, evaluated to be accurate enough for the investigation of heavy metal occurrence, was shown able to provide prompt analytical answer, thanks to its instrumental multi-elemental performances, either for the total PM10 sample and relative sub-samples, obtained by gravitational sedimentation. The considered heavy metals of environmental interest were Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn and Pb. The SdFFF fractionation was applied to the sub-sample <2 micron to determine the particle size distribution. The collected fractions were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
