Analysis of aerosols using total reflection x-ray spectrometry

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00142a005· OSTI ID:6182929

Leland, D J; Bilbrey, D B; Leyden, D E; Wobrauschek, P; Aiginger, H; Puxbaum, H

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) was used to determine sulfur, chlorine, potassium, and calcium in atmospheric aerosol samples. Aerosols collected in a size fractionation cascade impact collector were dissolved in water, and the solution was placed on a quartz x-ray reflector plate. X-ray fluorescence spectra were acquired by using a prototype TXRF spectrometer. Cobalt was used as an internal standard added to the solution after dissolution of the aerosol. Detection limits as low as 325 pg for sulfur and 60 pg for calcium were obtained. Aerosol samples between 38 and 387 ..mu..g were used to prepare the specimens. Good agreement was obtained between sulfur calculated as sulfate obtained by TXRF and sulfate obtained by ion chromatographic determination. These results show that TXRF may hold significant potential as an analytical method for the determination of major and minor elements in aerosol samples by using no more than a few hundred micrograms of sample.

• Research Organization: Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins
• OSTI ID: 6182929
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 59:15; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400101* -- Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHLORINE
COLLOIDS
DATA
DISPERSIONS
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HALOGENS
INFORMATION
METALS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
POTASSIUM
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SOLS
SULFUR
TRACE AMOUNTS
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS