抄録
A radio-frequency spark source mass spectrographic technique was developed for the determination of trace elements in airborne particulates.
The airborne particulates were collected on a silver metal membrane filter (poresize, 0.8μm; 47 mm in diameter) by using a low-volume air sampler with an air-flow rate of 15l/min for 24 hours or 48 hours. The sample filter on which the airborne particulates were collected was cut into two halves. A pair of electrodes (about 2 mm ×1 mm × 13 mm) was prepared by compressing each filter part in a molding devise at about 100 kg/cm2. The sample electrodes were then analyzed by using a radio-frequency spark source mass spectrograph. The coefficient of variation was found to be about 25% by quadruplicate runs. The results obtained by the present method was compared with the values obtained by X-ray fluorescence and, which, showed a good agreement for all analyzed elements except copper.
The proposed method is very simple and rapid, and eliminates the possible contamination and error which may arise from pretreatment of the sample. Since this method enables us to determine not only the metallic elements but also the non-metallic elements such as fluorine, sulfur, and arsenic, this method is assumed to be useful for the analysis of trace elements in airborne particulates.
