An assessment of common atmospheric particulate matter sampling and toxic metal analysis methods.
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Date
2010
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Academic Journals
Abstract
In this study, the atmospheric particulate matter (PM) was sampled using the tapered element
oscillating microbalance, and the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and
scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM/EDS) were used for
determination of elemental composition of the PM. The efficiency and relevance of the sampling
method, ICP-MS and SEM/EDS in toxic metal analysis were assessed. Low flow rate yielded high
accumulated mass of particulate matter. The efficiency of the filter media used was found to be, in
decreasing order: teflon-coated glass fiber, ringed-teflon and quartz filters. The main elements
identified from the SEM/EDS on ringed-teflon filters were Si, Fe, Mg, K, Na, C, S, F and O, and for ICPMS,
the following main elements were identified: Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn and Mn. The
ICP-MS proved to be more relevant for the analysis of the toxic metals of interest. The standard
deviations obtained from this method were less than 30% for most of the metals identified. The method
detection limit was also low (0.2 to 1 µg/L) for most metals, and 50% and less standard deviation to
mean ratios were obtained for Ni and Pb.
Description
Keywords
Particulate matter, Toxic metals - Analysis
Citation
Kgabi, N. A. (2010). An assessment of common atmospheric particulate matter sampling and toxic metal analysis methods. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 4(11).