Multielement characterization of atmospheric pollutants by x-ray fluorescence analysis and instrumental neutron activation analysis
The simultaneous measurement of a wide spectrum of elements in aerosols collected on air filters and in rainwater can yield information on the origin, transport, and removal of atmospheric pollutants. In order to determine the elemental content of these aerosols, a pair of highly sensitive, precise and complementing instrumental techniques, x-ray fluorescence and neutron activation analysis, have been developed and employed. Data are presented on the results of combined x-ray fluorescence and activation analysis of aerosols collected in a number of urban areas of the USA and from the 80th median sampling network in March 1972. From a comparison of these ratios in granite and diabase with those of filters placed in urban areas, it is evident that Zn, Se, Sb, Hg, and Pb levels have been increased by as much as several orders of magnitude. Al, Co, La, Fe, Eu, Sm, Tb, Ta, Hf, and Th appear to exist at levels compatible with an earth's crust origin. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- E(45-1)-1830
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-025341
- OSTI ID:
- 4026533
- Report Number(s):
- BNWL-SA-5610; CONF-760311-2
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Symposium on the development of nuclear-based techniques, Vienna, Austria, 15 Mar 1976; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
N40120 -Chemistry-Analytical & Separations Chemistry-Chemical & Spectral Procedures
N44410 -Environmental & Earth Sciences-Radiometric Techniques-Atmosphere
400101* -Chemistry-Analytical & Separations Chemistry- Activation & Nuclear Reaction Procedures
*AEROSOLS- CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
*ALUMINIUM- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*ANTIMONY- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*COBALT- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*EUROPIUM- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*HAFNIUM- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*IRON- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*LANTHANUM- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*LEAD- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*MERCURY- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*SAMARIUM- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*SELENIUM- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*TANTALUM- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*TERBIUM- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*THORIUM- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
*ZINC- X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
AIR POLLUTION
BASAL