Investigation of element speciation in atmosphere

Elemental composition of rain water was determined with the use of instrumental neutron activation analysis. Solid water-insoluble fractions were separated by filtration through membrane filters. Filtrates were dried, and dry residues as well as solid-phase on filters were analyzed. Concentrations of 20 elements in the samples were determined. Enrichment factors and ratios between element concentrations in liquid and solid fractions were calculated. Data obtained allowed us to suppose that Na, Cl, K, Sc, Cr, Mn, Fe, Se, Br, I, Cs, La, Sm, and Au prevalently exist in the air in the form of relatively coarse aerosol particles; Zn, As, Sb, and Hg prevalently occur in the vapor-gas phase; and Co and W, in the form of finely dispersed aerosol.