Energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis for sulphur,chlorine, potassium and calcium in aerosols

Problems in the use of x-ray spectrometry for the fast multi-element analysis of environmental samples such as aerosols collected on filters arise from absorption of the fluorescence intensity in the filter and in the collected matter. A procedure is described for the determination of the elements sulphur to calcium in aerosols collected on Whatman 41 filters. Two methods are compared for deconvolution of the spectra. These are based on counting in fixed energy channels or on non-linear least-squares analysis. Corrections for absorption effects have been calculated. Calibration is done with thin film standard deposits. The accuracy of the method is better than 15%. Difficulties in ascertaining the chlorine content of the filter are discussed. The evaporation of the chlorine fraction from the filter was studied in detail.