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Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab01:21

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For AAS measurements, samples must be introduced as clear solutions, often requiring extensive preliminary treatment to dissolve materials like soils, animal tissues, and minerals. Common methods for sample preparation include treatment with hot mineral acids, wet ashing, combustion in closed containers, high-temperature ashing, or fusion with reagents.
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AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...
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Volatilization01:10

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Volatilization gravimetry is an analytical technique that measures the mass lost due to the volatilization of the substance. This technique is used to estimate the amount of volatile material in a sample. To perform this method, heat a known amount of the sample to a high temperature in a crucible or other suitable vessel. The volatile substance in the sample evaporates, and the vapor is completely expelled from the crucible either by heating the sample or bubbling a stream of inert gas through...
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Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Split Point Analysis and Uncertainty Quantification of Thermal-Optical Organic/Elemental Carbon Measurements
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Quantifying residual elemental carbon by thermal-optical analysis using an extended IMPROVE_A protocol with higher

Xiaolu Zhang1, Krystyna Trzepla1, Warren White1

  • 1Air Quality Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)
|September 7, 2022
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Summary

Higher temperatures in thermal-optical analysis can better quantify elemental carbon (EC) in air samples. This improved method reveals significant residual EC missed by standard protocols, especially in urban areas.

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Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric chemistry and air quality monitoring
  • Particulate matter analysis
  • Carbonaceous aerosol quantification

Background:

  • Thermal-optical analysis (TOA) is standard for measuring organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in air samples.
  • The IMPROVE_A protocol, commonly used, may underestimate EC by not fully evolving it at 840°C.
  • Residual EC in Chemical Speciation Network (CSN) samples suggests limitations in current TOA methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate operational conditions for evolving and quantifying residual elemental carbon (EC).
  • To evaluate modifications to the IMPROVE_A protocol for enhanced EC detection.
  • To assess the impact of higher temperatures on EC quantification in CSN samples.

Main Methods:

  • Modified the IMPROVE_A protocol by introducing a higher temperature step (930°C) for EC evolution.
  • Analyzed four heavily loaded CSN samples to evaluate protocol modifications.
  • Applied the extended protocol to over 2600 CSN samples to quantify residual EC.

Main Results:

  • A 930°C step evolved residual EC more effectively than extending the 840°C step duration.
  • The modified protocol quantified additional EC, representing 7.6% to 25.1% of total carbon.
  • Measurable residual EC was found in 6.4% of analyzed CSN samples, reaching up to 28% of total EC in highly loaded samples.

Conclusions:

  • The standard IMPROVE_A protocol likely underestimates elemental carbon (EC) in CSN samples.
  • Increasing the maximum heating temperature to 930°C improves EC quantification.
  • This enhanced method is crucial for accurately assessing EC in areas affected by fresh urban emissions.