Depth-resolved speciation of nitrogen compounds in environmental solids

Dynamic SIMS has been applied to the analysis of inorganic and organic nitrogen compounds. A depth-resolved speciation of nitrogen, based on the intensities of small ionic clusters, has been developed. An evaluation method is outlined to distinguish inorganic and organic nitrogen compounds. Furthermore, several organic compound families can be recognised including detailed nitrogen speciation. Because this method is suitable even for characterisation of complex mixtures, urban outdoor aerosol particles have been analysed with Dynamic SIMS.