Multi-element analysis of airborne particulate matter collected on PTFE-membrane filters by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

Direct analysis of airborne particulate matter collected on PTFE-membrane filters using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS ) was performed. Laboratory prepared standard filter samples were analyzed. Several parameters, including the laser energy, pulse type and beam focus, thermal properties and homogeneity of the sample and the carrier gas flow rate, may affect the LA-ICP-MS measurement. The influences of these parameters were thoroughly examined. Empirical results obtained here demonstrated that applying LA-ICP-MS for multi-element analysis of airborne particulate matter collected on PTFE-membrane filter is feasible. More than 20 major, minor and trace elements in airborne particles on PTFE membrane filters can be determined. It was found that the optimum ablation efficiency can be achieved using a 160 mJ single shot laser operated in the free-running mode with a 6.5 mm defocus distance from the filter surface. The optimum transport efficiency for most of the elements can be obtained if the argon gas flow rate is kept at 0.8 L min−1.employed LA-ICP-MS to determine simultaneously 21

Metals Present in Ambient Air before and after a Firework Festival in Yanshui, Tainan, Taiwan

“…This technique has been used previously to determine the chemical composition and distribution of elements in airborne particulate matter collected on filters (Tanaka et al, 1998;Chin et al, 1999;Wang et al, 1999;Okuda et al, 2004;Gligorovski et al, 2008;Hsieh et al, 2011). For calibration, we employed a simple process consisting of spiking the filters with standard solutions, as applied by Tanaka et al (1988) and recently by Hsieh et al (2011).…”

Laser ablation ICP-MS of size-segregated atmospheric particles collected with a MOUDI cascade impactor: a proof of concept

“…This method samples the filters via pulsed laser ablation, effectively removing the particles, thereby eliminating the need for harsh chemicals, offering faster sample preparation times, reducing contamination, and increasing sensitivity. Initial efforts using LA-ICP-MS have been promising (Gligorovski et al, 2008;Triglav et al, 2010), although problems associated with spatial inhomogeneity (Brown et al, 2009), matrixmatched standards (Chin et al, 1999;Tanaka et al, 1998), and laser instabilities have been reported. Hsieh et al (2011) optimized the LA-ICP-MS parameters suitable for analysis of nanometer-and submicrometer-sized airborne particulate matter sampled by an electrical low-pressure impactor.…”

External furnace-fusion digestion for the direct determination of lead in rock samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) using the tungsten boat furnace–sample cuvette technique

“…For soil and sediment samples, Baker et al 8 presented a method in which LA-ICP-MS was used to analyse pelletized sand samples. Tanaka et al, 4 Wang et al 6 and Chin et al 13 analysed airborne particulate matter using LA-ICP-MS. The particulates were collected on membrane ®lters prior to ablation.…”