Environmental Samples:

Environment is an important area wherein the elemental analysis is of significant importance. Let us take up the analysis of trace elements in airborne particulate matter by AES as a representative example of this group.

Trace elements in airborne particulate matter

AES has been used extensively for the determination of trace elements in atmospheric particulates, especially huge scale survey studies whereas concurrent multielement analysis is required. Airborne particulate matter is routinely collected through drawing a measured volume of air by filter material such as fiberglass, asbestos, porous plastic, cellulose paper, or graphite within the form of discs or electrodes. Therefore, for the determination of trace elements, the chemical composition of filter is significant. For example glass filters show high concentrations of Ba, Sr, Rb, Zn, As, Ni, Fe, Ca, and other elements. A composition of filter materials is particularly important in sampling relatively clean atmospheres since of the low particulate stages collected within reasonable sampling time.

The particulates are dried, collected, and weighed; then spectroscopic buffer is added along with internal standards. A sample so prepared is then correctly determined. The detection limits between 0.1 and 5 ng could be acquired for up to 14 elements.