Multi-elemental analysis of particulate matter samples collected by a particle-into-liquid sampler

Özet

Time-resolved elemental analysis of particulate matter (PM) helps in the reliable identification of specific sourcetracers and study of mixing dynamics in the lower atmosphere. In this study, a new flow system (FS) for theintroduction of samples into the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrument, whichconsists of on-line filtration and acidification of samples collected by a particle-into-liquid sampler (PILS), wasoptimised. Through this system, the limits of detection and quantification were significantly reduced, comparedto those of ICP-MS analysis of samples collected by a PILS after off-line filtration. This makes it possible toconduct multi-elemental analysis of the samples collected by the PILS without any pre-treatment. The optimisedFS-ICP-MS system was directly coupled with a PILS in order to study the profiles of some selected indoor andoutdoor sources of PM (cigarette smoking, incense burning, brushwood burning, pellet burning, and road dustresuspension). The application of the FS-ICP-MS system for off-line elemental analysis of samples collected by aPILS during spot events in indoor and outdoor environments allowed us to verify the suitability of this system forthe time-resolved (10 min) analysis of PM. The results indicate a significant increase in the indoor concentrationsof some toxic elements (such as, Cd, and Pb) during the cleaning operation of domestic biomass burning systems(pellet stoves and thermo-fireplaces). Similarly, increases in the concentration of these elements were also observedin the outdoor environment during spot events of agricultural waste combustion, an illegal activityfrequently practiced in many rural areas.