The homogeneity of heavy metal deposition on glass fibre filters collected using a high-volume sampler in the vicinity of an opencast chrome mine complex at Kemi, Northern Finland

Abstract

The homogeneity of heavy metal (Cr, Ni, Cu, Fe and Cd) distribution on glass fibre filters (Munktell MG 160, 203 x 254 mm, 75 g m(-2)) collected using a high-volume sampler (Wedding & Associates) at an opencast chrome mine complex at Kemi, Northern Finland was studied. The heavy metals in the total suspended particulate (TSP) material were analysed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The glass fibre filters were digested in a microwave oven using a mixture of aqua regia+HF acids. There was significant non-uniform distribution of heavy metals on glass fibre filters. The TSP material containing chromite was very difficult to dissolve by acid digestion. The results from X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), and from energy filtering transmission electron microscope (EFTEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), showed that insoluble residue left after microwave oven digestion with aqua regia+HF acids was probably partly due to chemical reactions occurring during microwave heating.

Metals distribution on the surface of quartz fiber filters used for particulate matter collection

“…Greater dispersion of As and Ni was explained by low levels of these elements in the particulate matter (relatively low analytical signal). Similar results were obtained by Pöykiö et al (2003). He indicated non-uniform distribution of heavy metals over the TSP fi lters, refl ected by the following RSD% values: 5.4-33.9% for Cr, 7.50-35.0% for Ni, 3.6-25.9% for Cu, and 6.6-19.9% for Fe.…”

Fast method of multi-elemental analysis of stream sediment samples by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with prior single-step microwave-assisted digestion

“…Total digestion procedure yielded higer recoveries of the analyzed metals. Pöykiö et al 2 reported on the analysis of Cr, Cu, and Ni in stream sediment as well as in marine sediment reference material. The procedure described in their work implies a microwave-assisted decomposition of the materials using HNO 3 , HCl, HF as well as H 3 BO 3 .…”

“…The procedure described in their work implies a microwave-assisted decomposition of the materials using HNO 3 , HCl, HF as well as H 3 BO 3 . Based on recovery values, Pöykiö et al 2 determined Cr in higher concentration, while Cu and Ni in lower concentrations than certified ones.…”

Acid dissolution methods for heavy metals determination in pine needles

“…In addition, the Sr and Ti concentrations were about 5 and 4 times higher in pine needle samples from the Tornio site than from Kemi site (Pöykiö et al 2003). According to studies on the environmental effects of Enocell Oy's pulp mill in Eno, eastern Finland (Määttänen 1999), the concentrations of Fe in pine needles (Pinus sylvestris L.) obtained with the HNO 3 / H 2 O 2 digestion procedure varied between 37.7 and 73.5 mg/kg, averaging at 49.9 mg/kg, and for Na between 53.7 and 151 mg/kg, averaging at 81.3 mg/kg.…”