Effect of change of environmental conditions on the elemental composition of airborne dust

In order to assess the extent of the elimination of humidity and the presence of pine trees on the elemental composition of airborne dust, the concentration of 21 elements were measured in airborne dust collected with a high-volume sampler at JAERI by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). It was found that the concentration of soil-origin elements, such as Al, Sc and Th, decreased as the humidity increased, and the Cl/Na ratio of sea salt constituent in the dust samples increased with the decrease of humidity after the felling of the trees.     

Neutron activation analysis on sediments from Victoria Land,Antarctica: multi-elemental characterization of potential atmospheric dust sources

The elemental composition of 40 samples of mineral sediments collected in Victoria Land, Antarctica, in correspondence of ice-free sites, is presented. Concentration of 36 elements was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis, INAA. The selection of 6 standard reference materials and the development of a specific analytical procedure allowed to reduce measurements uncertainties and to verify the reproducibility of the results. The decision to analyze sediment samples from Victoria Land ice-free areas is related to recent investigations regarding mineral dust content in the TALos Dome ICE core (159°11′E; 72°49′S, East Antarctica, Victoria Land), in which a coarse local fraction of dust was recognized. The characterization of Antarctic potential source areas of atmospheric mineral dust is the first step to identify the active sources of dust for the Talos Dome area and to reconstruct the atmospheric pathways followed by air masses in this region during different climatic periods. Principal components analysis was used to identify elements and samples correlations; attention was paid specially to rare earth elements (REE) and incompatible/compatible elements (ICE) in respect to iron, which proved to be the most discriminating elemental groups. The analysis of REE and ICE concentration profiles supported evidences of chemical weathering in ice-free areas of Victoria Land, whereas cold and dry climate conditions of the Talos Dome area and in general of East Antarctica.     

Assessment of elemental contamination in road dust using EDXRF

Road dust samples were collected in different locations of heavy traffic, medium traffic, express way and industrial areas of Mumbai. The concentrations of various elements (Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb) in road dust samples were analyzed using EDXRF. The average elemental profile of road dust in Mumbai was comparable with studies carried out in other countries with slight variations. The estimated geo accumulation indices and enrichment factors indicated moderate elemental contamination and enrichment of anthropogenic elements in road dust samples. Factor analysis of elemental data resolved four sources namely crustal, tyre wear, vehicular/industrial emissions and break wear.     

Isolation and quantitative analysis of road dust nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are capable of preconcentrating various elements, including toxic ones; they have high mobility in the environment and can easily penetrate into a human body. The study of the chemical composition and properties of road dust nanoparticles is an urgent task of analytical chemistry, which needs to be addressed in the monitoring of the anthropogenic load on the environment and the assessment of the potential danger of pollution to human health. In the present paper, we propose a new approach for the isolation, characterization, and quantitative elemental analysis of road dust nanoparticles. Conditions are selected for the separation of nanoparticles from Moscow dust samples by field-flow fractionation in a rotating coiled column; the resulting fractions are characterized by independent methods (using static light scattering and electron microscopy); the method for calculating the concentration of elements in the nanoparticle fraction according to inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry is improved; elements in a water-soluble form are isolated and determined; and the role of soluble organic matter in the binding of trace elements is discussed. It is shown that the total concentration of most elements in the samples of Moscow dust is comparable to the average values for urban soils. Abnormally high concentrations of several elements (Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, Pb, Tl, and Bi) are revealed in the fraction of nanoparticles; the enrichment factor with respect to the total concentration ranges from 10 to 450. The source of contamination of road dust nanoparticles with copper, zinc, antimony, and cadmium is highly probable wearing-off of brake pads and car tires. The developed procedure of separation, characterization, and analysis of nanoparticles can be used for other polydisperse environmental samples (for example, volcanic ash).     

Study of properties of the glass batch melting filter dust

The filter dust from the container glass production was studied by the X-Ray powder diffraction, differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-Ray fluorescent spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The analysis of the elemental composition indicated that the major portion (≈96 wt%) of filter dust is comprised of sulfates. Predominant abundance of sodium sulfate was confirmed by comparative DTA of investigated filter dust. The characteristic redox property (COD—Chemical Oxygen Demand) was determined. The raw materials used in manufacturing of container glass in Vetropack Nem?ová with 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100 wt% of filter dust as a substitution of sulfate raw material were used for the preparation of samples of glass batch. Thermal properties of prepared samples were characterized by means of DTA. The substitution of sulfate raw material by filter dust does not significantly affect the thermal properties of the examined glass batches and consequently the course of the glass melting.     

Study of the chemical properties of gravitation dust sediments

The chemical properties of the gravitation dust sediment particles depend on their source. Two samples of the gravitation dust sediment have been investigated. The first sample, collected in locality Košice – Vel’ká Ida, near by U.S. Steel Ltd. (a metallurgy plant), represents the metallurgy industry pollutants. The second sample, collected in Košice city, represents the urban dust. Dust sediments particles create a non-homogeneous system. For this reason, the particles size distribution has been studied. On the base of the obtained experimental results one sample was divided into two approximately same mass fractions. The mineralogical composition of the dust particles matrix was determined by DTA, XRD, and SEM-EDS analyses. The total content of the chosen trace risk elements was defined by various AAS methods. The physical–chemical forms of elements in the dust sediment are characterised by different mobility and biotoxicity. The single-step extraction was used for the isolation of various element forms. 1 mol · dm⁻³ NH₄NO₃, 0.05 mol · dm⁻³ EDTA, and 2 mol · dm⁻³ HNO₃ were used as extraction reagents. The content of the elements in extracts was determined by the FAAS method.     

Analysis of airborne metal containing particles with EDX/EDS detectors in electron microscopes

In years 2006–2010 particulate matter analysis was undertaken for dust samples collected from Gdansk and London area in order to compare their morphology and composition. Part of those studies was devoted to analysis of particulate matter (PM) bearing metals. Characterization of the morphology and size of the particles collected onto the filters was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Both electron microscopes were equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers to identify the elemental composition of the particles. On analysis of the X-ray spectra acquired by both TEM and SEM, the particles were divided into 10 groups as follows: Al-rich, Ba-rich, C-rich, Ca-rich, Cl-rich, Fe-rich, Mg-rich, Na-rich, S-rich, Si-rich. Speciation of the particles based on the major element and accompanying minor elements yielded 34 particle types. However, some pairs of elements repeat, for instance: Na-Cl and Cl-Na, Al-S and S-Al, Si-Al and Al-Si, S-Ca and Ca-S. These are undoubtedly the same types of particles; variation in peak heights of the major and minor elements is normal in a mixed particle population.     

INAA study for characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 in Beijing and influence of dust storm

Summary PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 samples were collected simultaneously in Beijing, China, and analyzed by INAA and ICP-MS. Seasonal variations of the concentrations of ambient particles and their elemental compositions were found. The main sources of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in spring were the crust, coal burning and vehicle exhaust, in which the former was significant. During a strong dust storm, the concentrations of the crustal elements in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 increased remarkably, but the concentrations of some anthropogenic elements decreased. The enrichment factors of these anthropogenic elements also decreased sharply during the dust storm, which indicated that they were mostly originated from local anthropogenic pollution and diluted by the huge amount of dust.     

Determination of heavy metals in air conditioner dust using FAAS and INAA

The elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in dust samples collected from air conditioner (AC) filters from 15 commercial sites of Lahore using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The elements Cr, Mn and Zn were also determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results obtained showed that higher amounts of these metals were measured in these dust samples than normally found in soil. This was especially true for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Generally the amounts of Cd, Cr and Mn did not vary throughout the city of Lahore but the amounts of the traffic related Cu, Pb and Zn elements had the more variable ranges of 30–140, 30–230 and 74–2810 mg/kg respectively. The concentrations obtained for Cr, Mn and Zn by INAA were found to be higher than those obtained using FAAS. Analysis of the data obtained showed the digestion procedure employed to be the possible cause for this occurrence. It was also found that Mn was being over-estimated by INAA due to the interference from the Mg peak.     

Detection of air pollution sources in israel by isotope-induced XRF

Aerosol samples from urban, industrial and traffic areas were collected and analyzed for various elements. The correlation between the multielement content of the samples and their sources was studied. It was found necessary to anlayze samples before and after ashing because, while ashing improves the peak-to-background ratio, volatile elements may be lost. Samples collected at heights of 1.5 and 15 m were found to have the same elemental composition. Samples collected on consecutive filters showed sharp elemental fractionation An example of source identification is given for a high traffic area as compared with an area in which a large bromine plant is located. In both cases different Pb∶Br ratios were observed, with high bromine concentration in the latter. The analytical method used was based on the detection of characteristic K and L X-rays induced by a²⁴¹Am-I source-target assembly.     

ICP-OES and SEM-EDX Analysis of dust and powder produced by the laser-processing of a Cr-Ni-Steel alloy

In this investigation we compared the analytical results obtained by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis system (SEM-EDX). The powder and dust, obtained by laser-processing of CRN-14301 steel, was analysed to classify the powder and dust for its final waste disposal. For this reason we analysed the elemental content of the samples. The samples consisted of a mixture of metals and their oxides.The solid powder and dust was analysed directly by SEM-EDX, the ICP-OES analysis was carried out after the solid was dissolved in an acid solution. Both analytical methods were in good agreement.ICP-OES showed a higher precision and lower detection limit than EDX, but SEM-EDX showed a higher amount of information regarding the sample composition.     

Influence of The Elemental Composition of Medicinal Fruits on The Results of Their Thermal Analysis

Studies on the thermal decomposition and on the elemental composition of commercial raw plant materials used in medicine were performed. 16independent samples of fruits originating from 12 medicinal plant species collected in1988–92 were analysed. The thermal decomposition was performed using the derivatograph. The content of non-metallic (N, P, S, Cl, I and B) and metallic (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn)elements was determined by spectrophotometric techniques after previous mineralization of sample. In order to obtain more clear classification of the analysed plant materials principal component analysis was applied. The interpretation of PCA results for three databases (thermoanalytical, non-metals and metals data sets) allows to state, that samples of fruits from the same plant species in the majority of cases are characterized by similar elemental composition and similar course of their thermal decomposition. In this way the differences in general chemical composition of medicinal plants raw materials can be determined. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cluster analysis of the elemental composition of five austrian peats

The elemental composition of peat depends on the plant residues from which the peat was formed. The concentrations of 45 elements were determined for five peat samples by plasma emission spectrometry. Literature data on the composition of three bogs was added. The elemental abundances of six rock or soil categories, the elemental compositions of several peat-forming plants, and the results of the elemental analyses of bog samples, were examined by the SIMCA method. A clear difference was found between fens and raised bogs. Factor analysis of the elemental compositions shows that the concentrations of most of the elements reflect their natural abundance in the surrounding region. Some concentrations are influenced by anthropogenic pollution, e.g. lead, and by plant metabolism. The cluster analysis together with the training sets shows the degree of the deposition of mineral material from adjacent rivers and the type of plant growth which formed the peat.     

Concentration and particle-size distribution of uranium and some trace elements in airborne dust collected in Tsukuba

Uranium and some other trace elements were determined in the size-separated airborne dust collected in Tsukuba with an Andersen-type high-volume cascade impactor. The fission track method and the instrumental neutron activation method were applied to the determination of uranium and other elements, respectively. Selenium, antimony, arsenic and zinc were found to be rich in particulates of smaller size, while scandium, iron and cobalt showed a reverse trend, depending on their main origins, i.e. whether industrial or terrestrial. Uranium was distributed in both the larger and smaller particles to the same extent, suggesting that it is derived from both the terrestrial and artificial sources.     

Elemental composition of dust in an iron foundry as determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis

In the workplace of an iron foundry total and respirable suspended particulate matter was daily collected with a network of stationary filtration systems, with Andersen cascade impactors and with personal samplers. The performances of the different sampling systems are evaluated. All samples were analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. More than 30 elements were determined. The composition of the particulate samples is compared to that of the major emission sources. For visualising and interpretation of the data computer programs for contour plotting, classification and clustering of the elements and the samples are applied. On the basis of their distribution and particle size the elements can be divided in a number of groups, for which easily determined elements are proposed as indicator elements. The results allow an estimate of the impact of the major emission sources on the air quality in the entire workroom. Suggestions for representative sampling techniques and locations are made.     

X-ray fluorescence analysis for the study of fragments pottery excavated at Tell Jendares site, Syria, employing multivariate statistical analysis

X-ray fluorescence analysis study of 44 archaeological pottery samples collected from Tell Jendares site north-west of Syria has been carried out. Four samples of the total previous investigated samples were obtained from the kiln found on Tell Jendares site. Seventeen different chemical elements were determined. The XRF results have been processed using two multivariate statistical cluster and factor analysis methods in order to determine the similarities and correlation between the selected samples based on their elemental composition. The methodology successfully separates the samples where three distinct chemical groups were discerned.     

Comparative study of bulk and partial digestion methods for airborne PM10-bound elements in a high mineral dust urban site in Constantine,Algeria

When high mineral loads in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) are present, particular attention should be paid to the selection of appropriate acidic digestion protocols for wet chemical analysis. We report on a comparative study of elemental recovery yields from five different pre-analytical acid digestion procedures for mineral-rich urban background PM₁₀ samples collected in the city of Constantine (Northeastern Algeria). Five reference materials (NIST 1633b, UPM 1648, NAT-7, SO-2 and SO-4) were also digested according to the same protocols. The selected acidic digestion/extraction procedures are widely used for PM chemical analysis and comprise P1 (HNO₃/HF/HCl), P2 (HCl/HNO₃), P3 (HCl/H₂O₂/HNO₃), P4 (HNO₃/HF/HClO₄) and P5 (HNO₃/H₂O₂); the latter assisted with microwave digestion. Elemental recovery yields were compared for major and trace elements typically determined in PM for source apportionment analysis and the results evidenced large differences. For most elements, the bulk extraction procedures (requiring the use of HF) allowed a full elemental recovery, particularly for elements that are associated with aluminium silicate species and oxides that are resistant to mild acid attack. In contrast, in the extraction protocols without HF low recovery yields were obtained for elements such as Al, Ti, Zr, Sc and other aluminium silicate-related elements in PM₁₀ samples with high mineral dust load. We highlight that the European standard digestion method EN-14902:2005 should be applied specifically for the metals for which this method was developed, but caution should be taken when the analysis of other elements in PM is required, especially in urban areas where road and vehicle wear dust is likely to be a major component of ambient PM. When using wet chemistry analysis for PM source apportionment studies, we strongly recommend HF bulk dissolution of samples to ensure the reliability of the geochemical information when coupled with an appropriate analytical tool.     

Proton microprobe analysis of interplanetary dust particles

Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are typically <10 μm in diameter and <10^?9 g in mass on collection. The Heidelberg proton microprobe (beam spot ?2 × 3 μm²) allows non-destructive detectio of trace elements in such samples. Two IDPs (Zodiac and Bounce) were examined. To evaluate the proton-induced x-ray spectra quantitatively, the x-ray production rates for thin samples were calculated with a computer routine; the elemental ratios of the samples normalized to silicon or iron were evaluated. The ratios found for the Zodiac sample agree within a factor of two with those of cosmic abundance. The other IDP showed depletion in Ca, K, Zn and S.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of the hair of metallurgical workers

Hair samples were collected from 20 metallurgical workers (10 males and 10 females) and from 59 control subjects (32 males and 27 females), whose jobs do not indicate a specific occupational exposure. The concentrations of ten minor and trace elements (Al, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Sb, Se, V and Zn) were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The statistical data distributions, the sex and age influences in these elemental concentrations and the average values obtained for the control group were compared with published data. The effect of occupational exposure to the metallic elements was reflected in elemental composition of hair by significant higher concentration levels of Al, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Sb, V and Zn in the hair of the exposed group, when compared with the control group.     

Determination of trace and major elemental profiles in street dust samples by fast miniaturized ultrasonic probe extraction and ICP-MS

A simple, fast and miniaturized ultrasonic probe assisted protocol for acid extraction of trace and major elements from street dust samples, prior to final determination by ICP-MS, has been optimized and validated by standard reference materials and applied during an urban air quality monitoring campaign. 15 mg samples were treated for 3 min with 1 mL concentrated HNO₃-HCl (1:3, v/v) extracting solution, by a 1 mm diameter titanium sonotrode connected to a 200 W and 24 kHz ultrasonic device at 80% amplitude. After centrifugation, the extracts were assayed by ICP-MS with good recoveries for the certified elements. Statistical analysis of real sample results by cluster analysis allowed the correct grouping of the samples according to the influence of traffic and construction/demolition activities. Correlation of street dust and PM10 elemental profiles showed the potential applicability of the proposed analytical protocol as a simple and effective way for urban air quality monitoring.