Coupling PIXE and SEM/EDAX for characterizing atmospheric aerosols in ice-cores

Laj, Paolo; Ghermandi, Grazia; Cecchi, Rodolfo; Ceccato, D.

doi:10.1016/0168-583x(95)00917-5

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Given that the features of the targets from EPICA ice samples fit well with the definition of thin targets, the calibration performed with polycarbonate foils coated with elements is reliable; in fact, such foils are commonly used as reference materials for aerosol particle analyses (Cahill, 1975). Inter-comparison between PIXE and atomic absorption spectroscopy measurement values for samples from the GRIP ice core (Laj and others, 1996) gave satisfactory results.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Elemental composition (Si, Fe, Ti) of atmospheric dust over the last 220 kyr from the EPICA ice core (Dome C, Antarctica)

et al. 2004

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ABSTRACT. In this work, we present the records of insoluble silicon (Si), iron (Fe) and titanium (Ti) from continental mineral particles (dust) archived in the first 2200 m of the EPICA Dome C (EDC) ice core. More than 200 samples covering the last 220 kyr, back to marine isotopic stage 7.4, were analyzed using the particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique, applied here for the first time to the investigation of the mineral content of an Antarctic ice core. The measurements were made exclusively on the insoluble fraction, obtained from filtration of the melted ice samples. The mineral fraction of the particle mass determined from the PIXE measurements is highly correlated to the total dust mass determined by particle counting using a Coulter # Counter. The principal variations during the different climatic periods are very coherent between the PIXE analysis results and the total dust mass determined by counting. Both sets of results show increasing concentration values during glacial stages 2, 4 and 6 and very low particle content during interglacials (Holocene and stage 5e). The large increase in atmospheric dustiness during cold stages is assumed to be caused by several factors, among which are the enhanced vigour of atmospheric transport. However, the PIXE results from this work highlight some slight differences in Si, Fe and Ti concentrations with respect to the total dust mass during the different climatic periods. As a hypothesis, such variations could reflect either different atmospheric processes affecting particles during transport, or changes that occurred in the dust source regions.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Elemental composition (Si, Fe, Ti) of atmospheric dust over the last 220 kyr from the EPICA ice core (Dome C, Antarctica)

et al. 2004

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“…Dissolved/particulate partitioning of metals in Antarctic snow was rarely investigated. [23][24][25] The distribution of elements between the soluble and insoluble phases was obtained by coupling PIXE and SEM-EDS measurements 23,24 or by performing PIXE analyses on both the soluble (<0.4 mm) and insoluble snow particles. 25 A general predominance of particulate fraction over the dissolved one was observed for a number of elements including Al, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, Si, V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn and Pb, although a great variability in the insoluble fraction percentage (2-100%) was reported for K and Ca.…”

Section: Partitioning Between Dissolved and Particulate Phasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major and trace element partitioning between dissolved and particulate phases in Antarctic surface snow

et al. 2011

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In order to provide a new insight into the Antarctic snow chemistry, partitioning of major and trace elements between dissolved and particulate (i.e. insoluble particles, >0.45 μm) phases have been investigated in a number of coastal and inland snow samples, along with their total and acid-dissolvable (0.5% nitric acid) concentrations. Alkaline and alkaline-earth elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Sr) were mainly present in the dissolved phase, while Fe and Al were predominantly associated with the particulate matter, without any significant difference between inland and coastal samples. On the other hand, partitioning of trace elements depended on the sampling site position, showing a general decrease of the particulate fraction by moving from the coast to the plateau. Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were for the most part in the dissolved phase, while Cr was mainly associated with the particulate fraction. Co, Mn and V were equally distributed between dissolved and particulate phases in the samples collected from the plateau and preferentially associated with the particulate in the coastal samples. The correlation between the elements and the inter-sample variability of their concentration significantly decreased for the plateau samples compared to the coastal ones, according to a change in the relative contribution of the metal sources and in good agreement with the estimated marine and crustal enrichment factors. In addition, samples from the plateau were characterised by higher enrichment factors of anthropogenic elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn), compared to the coastal area. Finally, it was observed that the acid-dissolvable metal concentrations were generally lower than the total concentration values, showing that the acid treatment can dissolve only a given fraction of the metal associated with the particulate (<20% for iron and aluminium).

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“…A series of EDAX analyses was performed on 100-150 particles of each sample, as was the case in previous work [Gaudichet et al, 1986;Palais et al, 1990]. This number is sufficient to give a statistically significant representation of the particle population [Laj et al, 1996]. The dimensions of the analyzed particles, determined directly from the electron microscope images, were noted during each analysis.…”

Section: Sem-edax Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Samples were prepared by filtration ]. This number is sufficient to give a statistically significant representation of the particle population [Laj et al, 1996]. The dimensions of the analyzed particles, determined directly from the electron microscope images, were noted during each analysis.…”

Section: Sem-edax Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…X ray response intensity is a function of the cross section of the particles in PIXE analysis, unlike SEM-EDAX, where particles are analyzed regardless of their size. Consequently, a correction factor taking into account particle size is applied to each EDAX analysis [Laj et al, 1996]. This correction is necessary as the number of small particles analyzed by SEM-EDAX underestimates the actual number.…”

Section: Particlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distribution of Ca, Fe, K, and S between soluble and insoluble material in the Greenland Ice Core Project ice core

Laj¹,

Ghermandi²,

Cecchi³

et al. 1997

J. Geophys. Res.

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Abstract. We have developed an original method coupling particle induced X ray emission and scanning electron microscope/X ray dispersive analysis in order to characterize the partitioning of Fe, Ca, K, and S between the soluble and the insoluble phases in wind-blown deposits in the Greenland ice. We applied this technique to several sections of the Greenland Ice Core Project ice core. We found that the dominant fraction (from 25 to 100%) of Ca and S deposited in Greenland is soluble, while the proportion of soluble material is lower for K and Fe (between 10 and 80%). For all elements the distribution between soluble and insoluble material varies according to the ice-core depth. The distribution appears to be linked to either meteorological factors, such as temperature or p H of the precipitation (in the case of Ca or S), or the alterability of the mineral assemblages found in the ice (in the case of Fe and K). The fraction of soluble material is therefore linked to the characteristics of source origin (S is predominantly emitted in very soluble forms) and to the dissolution of certain minerals (such as calcium carbonate or Fe-oxides) during transport in the atmosphere. The dynamics of alteration processes is, however, still uncertain, especially for K-containing minerals.

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Coupling PIXE and SEM/EDAX for characterizing atmospheric aerosols in ice-cores

Cited by 8 publications

References 16 publications

Elemental composition (Si, Fe, Ti) of atmospheric dust over the last 220 kyr from the EPICA ice core (Dome C, Antarctica)

Elemental composition (Si, Fe, Ti) of atmospheric dust over the last 220 kyr from the EPICA ice core (Dome C, Antarctica)

Major and trace element partitioning between dissolved and particulate phases in Antarctic surface snow

Distribution of Ca, Fe, K, and S between soluble and insoluble material in the Greenland Ice Core Project ice core

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