Two-stage chemical fractionation method for the analysis of elements and non-volatile inorganic ions in PM10 samples: Application to ambient samples collected in Rome (Italy)

Determination of heavy metals in the ambient atmosphere

“…The precision of the data was performed in many ways, such as the analysis of duplicate or triplicate samples, blank analysis (field and/or laboratory), method detection limit, inter-lab comparison of results and relative standard deviation (RSD) of blank and/or standard materials analysis. Regarding QA, most studies (Alleman et al, 2010; Apeagyei et al, 2011; Callen et al, 2009; Canepari et al, 2006; Deng et al, 2006; Dongarra et al, 2007; Karanasiou et al, 2007; Kulratne and Freitas, 2013; Lee et al, 2007; Melaku et al, 2008; Pekey et al, 2010; Pereira et al, 2007; Rodas et al 2007; Shah and Shaheen, 2007; Sharma et al, 2008; Soltanie et al, 2015; Stortini et al, 2009; Vicente et al, 2014; Yatkin and Bayram, 2008) were performed an analysis of the SRMs provided by the NIST and found better recoveries of heavy metals. A few studies (Barman et al, 2008; Chen et al, 2014; Gunawardena et al, 2012; Kong et al, 2011; Lee and Park, 2010; Mansha et al, 2012; Rivera et al, 2011; Tan et al, 2014; Yadav and Rajamani, 2006; Wang et al, 2006) validated their methods with an analysis of the various CRMs provided by various companies or institutes.…”

Optimization of a sequential extraction procedure for trace elements in Arctic PM10

“…The most common extracting solutions and extraction methods for PM sequential extraction were compared by means of an experimental design for qualitative variables [ 43 ]. Five different extractants, i.e., the most commonly found in literature, were tested, namely HPW [ 16 , 19 , 22 , 24 , 30 – 37 , 42 , 44 , 45 ], 0.032 M HNO 3 (pH = 1.5) [ 44 , 46 ], 0.022 M HCl (pH = 1.7) [ 35 , 36 ], 0.11 M CH 3 COOH (pH = 3.0) [ 21 , 40 , 41 , 47 , 48 ], and 0.012 M CH 3 COOH/CH 3 COONH 4 buffer (pH = 4.5) [ 8 , 17 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 48 ]. Ammonium was chosen as a cation for the buffer due to the possibility of s.b.…”

“…Different studies about the application of these extracting schemes or their successive adaptions to PM samples were published, stating that the most interesting and representative fractions are the mobile and the residual ones [23,24]. As a consequence, many researchers started to develop extraction schemes providing only two fractions, considered a good compromise between costs, analytical times, and resulting data [8,[15][16][17][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Moreover, when dealing with Arctic PM, the application of multi-steps sequential extraction schemes increases the risk of obtaining results below the detection limits, and two-step schemes should be preferred.…”

“…As for the separation of the extract from the solid residue, most extraction schemes rely on centrifugation, especially when more than two fractions are involved [ 6 , 22 , 37 – 40 ]. In two-step extraction schemes, filtration is also quite common, as the filter may subsequently be digested for obtaining the second fraction [ 26 , 34 ]; nevertheless, a wide variety of filters and filtration systems exist, thus further reducing the comparability of results. Alternatively, some researchers prefer non-sequential extraction schemes, realized by cutting the filter containing the PM sample in two or more parts, from which they obtain the two or more desired fractions [ 13 , 15 , 24 , 33 ].…”

A new approach for the determination of silicon in airborne particulate matter using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

“…In case of Si analysis these improvements are associated with distinctly increased efforts in sample pretreatment which could affect the results badly due to an enhanced risk of analyte losses as well as contamination [9][10][11]. Thus for environmental monitoring programs, an improved approach is required which combines the speed of solid sampling analysis with the accuracy of solution based measurement techniques.…”