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Determination of selected trace elements in airborne aerosol particles using different sample preparation
Janja Tursic1, Helena Radić, Miroslav Kovacević
1Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia. janja.tursic@gov.si
Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada I Toksikologiju
|June 25, 2008
Summary
This study analyzed trace elements in atmospheric aerosols, focusing on the bioavailable water-soluble fraction. Different microwave digestion methods were compared, revealing that some elements like chromium and nickel are strongly bound to the sample matrix.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Trace element concentrations in atmospheric aerosols are critical due to human health impacts and use in source apportionment.
- Microwave-assisted digestion is a common method for preparing particulate matter samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine trace element concentrations (V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, Tl, Pb) in the water-soluble fraction of PM10.
- To compare two microwave digestion procedures (H2O2/HNO3 vs. HF/HCl/HNO3) for trace element analysis.
- To assess the bioavailability of selected trace elements in urban atmospheric aerosols.
Main Methods:
- Microwave-assisted digestion of PM10 filter samples using two different acid mixtures.
- Analysis of trace elements in the water-soluble fraction.
- Validation using certified reference material (NIST SRM 1648 Urban Particulate Matter).
Main Results:
- Vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) were most concentrated in the water-soluble fraction.
- Chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), thallium (Tl), and lead (Pb) showed the lowest concentrations in the water-soluble fraction.
- Cr, Ni, antimony (Sb), and Tl were found to be strongly bound to the sample matrix, indicating limited bioavailability.
Conclusions:
- The choice of microwave digestion procedure significantly impacts the determination of trace element bioavailability in atmospheric aerosols.
- Understanding element partitioning between soluble and insoluble fractions is crucial for accurate health risk assessment and source apportionment.
- Urban aerosols contain bioavailable forms of key trace elements, necessitating careful analytical method selection.
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