Multi-element analysis of airborne particulate matter by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

The multi-element analysis of airborne particulate matter collected on glass-fibre filters by various acid mixture digestion procedures and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was studied. In order to achieve sensitive and reliable multi-element analyses, the analytical blanks obtained as a result of the dissolution of the matrix elements in the filter media during the digestion procedures were evaluated. It was found that, of the methods tested, digestion of the airborne particulates with concentrated HNO₃-HClO₄ under pressure followed by the addition of HF after removal of the intact filter membrane from the solution is the best pre-treatment procedure for multi-element analysis by ICP-AES. The possible effect of concomitant elements in the dissolved sample solution was also evaluated and corrected. A recovery study was conducted using National Bureau of Standards Standard Reference Material 1648 Urban Particulate to examine the accuracy of the analytical results. Sixteen major, minor and trace elements in airborne particulate matter were determined effectively.