Elemental chemical characterization and morphology of PM10 using SEM/EDS in air quality monitoring station filters in Poza Rica, Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Air quality has been a global problem for several decades and has had several approaches for its mitigation, analysis and quantification. There are several ways and methods to quantify primary and secondary air pollutants. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine, through SEM-EDS analysis, the elemental chemical characterization and morphology of the compounds present in the tapes of PM10 BAM (Beta Attenuation Mass Monitor) equipment from air quality monitoring campaigns in the city of Poza. Rica, Veracruz in Mexico. The methodology consisted of collecting filter tapes from the air quality monitoring stations used in the evaluation period, sampling and analysis was performed by the SEM/EDS scanning electron microscopy technique. The results allowed identifying in the samples the elemental chemical characterization and morphology of the particles retained in them.