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Silver-110 microgram sulfate analysis for the short time resolution of ambient levels of sulfur aerosol

Journal Article · · Anal. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50019a030· OSTI ID:7283005
Atmospheric particulate samples collected on glass fiber or quartz filters have been routinely analyzed for total sulfur at the milligram level with /sup 110/Ag tracer. The method has been refined to permit sulfate analyses of <10 ..mu..g SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/. Samples are reduced with a mixture of HI, H/sub 3/PO/sub 3/, and HCl, converting SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ to H/sub 2/S, which is adsorbed as CdS. Metathesis of CdS with AgNO/sub 3/ containing tracer /sup 110/Ag is followed by collection of Ag/sub 2/S on a membrane filter and gamma counting in a NaI(Tl) well counter. Recoveries of approx. 97% with a std dev of +-7% were obtained with standard sulfate solutions, and recoveries were comparable in the presence of quartz or glass-fiber particulate filters. Comparisons were made between total and soluble particulate sulfate in ambient air samples collected at urban and rural locations, utilizing the /sup 110/Ag technique. The technique was also compared with a soluble sulfate turbidimetric method of analysis.
Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY
OSTI ID:
7283005
Journal Information:
Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 49:11; ISSN ANCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English