Instrumental analysis for trace elements present in Chicago area surface air

Abstract

On April 4, 1968, surface air particulates were collected on cellulose fiber filters simultaneously at twenty‐two different locations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. A 1‐cm2 portion of each filter was irradiated with thermal neutrons in Argonne National Laboratory's CP‐5 research reactor. The neutron‐induced nuclides were analyzed by γ‐ray spectrometry with 10.2 cm × 10.2 cm (4 in. × 4 in.) and 7.6 cm × 7.6 cm (3 in. × 3 in.) cylindrical NaI(Tl) crystals and a 400‐channel analyzer. By varying the neutron flux and the time of irradiation, we were able to detect by purely instrumental means twenty trace elements in surface air. The following elements, listed in decreasing order of concentration, were present: iron, chlorine, aluminum, zinc, manganese, sodium, bromine, vanadium, chromium, antimony, mercury, selenium, cerium, silver, cobalt, lanthanum, scandium, cesium, and europium. The average concentrations varied from 2400 to 0.12 ng/m3 air. Calcium concentrations in air were not quantitated.

Chemical composition of the ambient aerosol in the Sudan Gezira

“…For comparison some enrichment factors are shown for elements at sites, such as urban areas, where soil is not the source ( Table 4) and it can be seen that elements such as Sb, Se and Zn show very large enrichments in Liege and Chicago. To make the comparisons in Table 4 we have used Mason's estimates (1952) of the average crustal element distribution, and Peirson et al, 1974Peirson et al, 1974Rahn, 1976Rahn, 1976Rahn, 1976Brar et al, 1975Mamuro et al, 1975US Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare, 1966Gray et al, Zoller et al, 1974Rahn, 1976 This work This work consequently although values of EFe for the Sudan aerosols are much lower than for urban aerosols they are not unity.…”

Sources of Trace Elements in Aerosols: An Approach to Clean Air.

“…Kneip et al (1969) determined several trace elements at 3 locations in New York City, and related concentration trends to seasonal and shorter-period variables. Brar et al (1970) determined 20 trace elements in Chicago surface air by instrumental neutron activation ahalysis. Lee et al (1968) used atomic absorption spectroscopy and Andersen Samplers to measure particle size distributions of 6 metals in Cincinnati and Fairfax, Ohio.…”

Trace Metals in Atmospheric Particulates and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

“…Improved results can be obtained by various sampling techniques, preconcentration, and the use of flameless methods ind Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy trometry are the complications owing to interelement effects, especially when large amounts of sample are collected, and the difficulty involved in preparing proper standards (15). Nuclear methods (16)(17)(18)(19) are well suited to the field of pollution analysis for a number of reasons. The sensitivities obtainable range from parts per million down to 104 molecules and embrace the requirements of most pollution analyses.…”