Neutron activation analysis of platinum metals in airborne particulate matter

A method is described for the determination of Au, Pt, Pd, Ag and Ir in two atmospheric aerosol samples, namely in Ghent and in the Milanese intercomparison sample. After neutron irradiation the samples are fused with Na₂O₂. Gold is extracted with ethylacetate, Pt precipitated as (NH₄)₂PtCl₆ Pd as dimethylglyoximate, Ag as chloride and Ir separated by anion-exchange adsorption and batch extraction. Ge(Li) gamma-spectrometry is applied for all determinations. The concentrations in ng·g⁻¹ in the samples are respectively: Au: 49 and 3000; Pt: below 100 for both samples; Pd: 7 and 28; Ag: 6000 and 14 000; Ir: 2.5 and 1.3.