PIXE ANALYSIS OF SPOT SAMPLES ON NEW TYPE OF PTFE ULTRA-MEMBRANE FILTER-TAPE MOUNTED IN AN AUTOMATED BETA-RAY ABSORPTION MASS MONITOR

Abstract

In order to obtain high time-resolution, i.e., chemical data of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) at one-hour intervals, we carried out direct analysis of suspended particulate matter (SPM) on hourly spot samples on a new type of PTFE ultra-membrane filter-tape mounted in an automated beta-ray absorption mass monitor by conventional PIXE. Analysis of hourly SPM spot samples revealed 20 elements ( Na , Mg , Al , Si , S , Cl , K , Ca , Mn , Fe , Co , Ni , Cu , Zn , Ga , As , Se , Br , Sr and Pb ) in total. Therefore, we are convinced that the chemical information that is obtained from high time-resolution PM spot samples on a PTFE membrane filter-tape mounted in an automated beta-ray absorption mass monitor will lead to new developments in PM research. Furthermore, elemental data obtained by the high time-resolution along with data for ionic species compositions, and SO 2, NO X and other gaseous air pollutants at the same level, will make possible the analysis of detailed air pollution phenomenon.