Improvements in PIXE analysis of hourly particulate matter samples

Calzolai, Giulia; Lucarelli, F.; Chiari, M.; Nava, S.; Giannoni, M.; Carraresi, L.; Prati, P.; Vecchi, R.

doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2015.08.022

Cited by 48 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 25 publications

(20 reference statements)

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“…Measurements were performed on samples collected with a streaker sampler [34] exploiting the external beam set-up fully dedicated to aerosol analysis available at LABEC. Details on the technique and the set-up, included the X-ray detection system, are given elsewhere [34,35]; here we briefly recall that the streak of collected particles is analysed point-by-point using a proton beam collimated in order to get a spot corresponding to 1-h sampling.…”

Section: Elemental Composition By Streakermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Details on the technique and the set-up, included the X-ray detection system, are given elsewhere [34,35]; here we briefly recall that the streak of collected particles is analysed point-by-point using a proton beam collimated in order to get a spot corresponding to 1-h sampling. Every point was measured for 60 s using a 300 nA beam; elemental concentrations were obtained via calibration relative to thin reference standards.…”

Section: Elemental Composition By Streakermentioning

confidence: 99%

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First Results of the “Carbonaceous Aerosol in Rome and Environs (CARE)” Experiment: Beyond Current Standards for PM10

et al. 2017

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In February 2017 the "Carbonaceous Aerosol in Rome and Environs (CARE)" experiment was carried out in downtown Rome to address the following specific questions: what is the color, size, composition, and toxicity of the carbonaceous aerosol in the Mediterranean urban background area of Rome? The motivation of this experiment is the lack of understanding of what aerosol types are responsible for the severe risks to human health posed by particulate matter (PM) pollution, and how carbonaceous aerosols influence radiative balance. Physicochemical properties of the carbonaceous aerosol were characterised, and relevant toxicological variables assessed. The aerosol characterisation includes: (i) measurements with high time resolution (min to 1-2 h) at a fixed location of black carbon (eBC), elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), particle number size distribution (0.008-10 µm), major non refractory PM 1 components, elemental composition, wavelength-dependent optical properties, and atmospheric turbulence; (ii) 24-h measurements of PM 10 and PM 2.5 mass concentration, water soluble OC and brown carbon (BrC), and levoglucosan; (iii) mobile measurements of eBC and size distribution around the study area, with computational fluid dynamics modeling; (iv) characterisation of road dust emissions and their EC and OC content. The toxicological assessment includes: (i) preliminary evaluation of the potential impact of ultrafine particles on lung epithelia cells (cultured at the air liquid interface and directly exposed to particles); (ii) assessment of the oxidative stress induced by carbonaceous aerosols; (iii) assessment of particle size dependent number doses deposited in different regions of the human body; (iv) PAHs biomonitoring (from the participants into the mobile measurements). The first experimental results of the CARE experiment are presented in this paper. The objective here is to provide baseline levels of carbonaceous aerosols for Rome, and to address future research directions. First, we found that BC and EC mass concentration in Rome are larger than those measured in similar urban areas across Europe (the urban background mass concentration of eBC in Rome in winter being on average 2.6 ± 2.5 µg · m −3 , mean eBC at the peak level hour being 5.2 (95% CI = 5.0-5.5) µg · m −3 ). Then, we discussed significant variations of carbonaceous aerosol properties occurring with time scales of minutes, and questioned on the data averaging period used in current air quality standard for PM 10 (24-h). Third, we showed that the oxidative potential induced by aerosol depends on particle size and composition, the effects of toxicity being higher with lower mass concentrations and smaller particle size. Albeit this is a preliminary analysis, findings reinforce the need for an urgent update of existing air quality standards for PM 10 and PM 2.5 with regard to particle composition and size distribution, and data averaging period. Our results reinforce existing concerns about the toxicity of carbonaceous aerosols, suppo...

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Section: Elemental Composition By Streakermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Elemental Composition By Streakermentioning

confidence: 99%

First Results of the “Carbonaceous Aerosol in Rome and Environs (CARE)” Experiment: Beyond Current Standards for PM10

et al. 2017

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“…The argon in air cannot be ignored behind the thin samples for PIXE analysis . In Figure , a comparison of spectra acquired with and without the helium flow behind the sample is shown.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An upgraded external beam PIXE setup for multielemental analysis of atmospheric aerosol samples

Chu

Wang

et al. 2017

X-Ray Spectrometry

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The external beam particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) setup has been upgraded by introducing a new silicon drift detector with the aim of obtaining better minimum detection limits (MDLs) at the 2 × 1.7 MV Tandetron accelerator of the Beijing Normal University in China. The upgraded external beam PIXE setup is equipped with two silicon drift detectors for PIXE analysis of low and high Z elements. A surface barrier detector for Rutherford backscattering spectrometry monitors beam and helium flow. Two kinds of aerosol filter samples (quartz fiber filters and Teflon filters) were studied. A 200-μm thick Mylar absorber in front of the medium-high energy X-rays detector was adopted, and it got the best MDLs for atmospheric aerosol samples analysis. Multielemental analysis of quartz fiber filter aerosol samples was achieved.For more accurate and better MDLs of low Z elements in PIXE analysis, it is necessary to keep sufficient helium flow behind the thin samples.

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“…PIXE analysis has been performed using the external beam PIXE setup at the 3MV Tandetron accelerator of INFN‐LABEC laboratory in Florence, Italy. The experimental setup has been described elsewhere . The essential features are briefly mentioned here.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An assessment of the impact of construction work on fine particulate matter in the University of Jordan: A PIXE study

Saadeh

Aburugia

Chiari³

2019

X-Ray Spectrometry

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Aerosol sampling was carried out prior to and during an active construction work at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan. Elemental characterization for 60 PM2.5 samples was performed by particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) technique at the LABEC laboratory of INFN in Florence, Italy. Twenty three elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, and Pb) were detected, and their concentrations were assessed during three sampling periods, namely, “No Construction,” “Pouring Concrete,” and “Bleaching.” The results showed higher concentrations of soil‐related elements and lower concentrations of anthropogenic‐related elements during construction periods compared with their concentrations before construction. Soil‐related elements showed very low enrichment factor (EF) and high correlation coefficients during all sampling periods. Anthropogenic‐related elements were very much enriched and correlated only during the first sampling period “No Construction.”

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Improvements in PIXE analysis of hourly particulate matter samples

Cited by 48 publications

References 25 publications

First Results of the “Carbonaceous Aerosol in Rome and Environs (CARE)” Experiment: Beyond Current Standards for PM10

First Results of the “Carbonaceous Aerosol in Rome and Environs (CARE)” Experiment: Beyond Current Standards for PM10

An upgraded external beam PIXE setup for multielemental analysis of atmospheric aerosol samples

An assessment of the impact of construction work on fine particulate matter in the University of Jordan: A PIXE study

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