P. Ielpo

Analysis of heavy metals in atmospheric particulate by ion chromatography

Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Fe+2, Mn, Cd, Fe+3 and Pb are easily separated and detected in isocratic mode by ion chromatography with post-column derivatization using a bifunctional ion-exchange column and an eluent formed by oxalic acid (28 mM) and sodium nitrate (250 mM). The separation is optimised by using a suggested sample solution containing a given concentration of chloride. Detection limits were 10-15 ppb for all the metals except for cadmium and lead, for which detection limits of 30 and 60 ppb were found, respectively. The method was tested on an atmospheric particulate certified sample. The measured values were in good agreement with certified values. Real samples of atmospheric particulate from industrial and urban sites were analysed and the results are discussed.

Application of CMB Model to PM10 Data Collected in a Site of South Italy: Results and Comparison with APCS Model

Chemical mass balance modeling (CMB) was applied to determine the PM10 sources and their contributions. PM10 samples were collected in Lecce (South Italy) during two monitoring campaigns performed in the months of July 2005 and February 2006. Nine source profiles and average mass concentration of the following chemical parameters: EC, OC, Cl - , NO 3 - , SO 4 2- , Na + , NH 4 + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Al, Si, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, and Zn were used to run the Chemical Mass Balance (CMB 8 ) model. The results obtained by application of CMB 8.2 to one sample data (L21) are shown. The contributions to PM10 show that dominant contributor was traffic with 37% followed by petroleum industry with 19% and field burning with 16%. Minor source contributions were marine aerosol (1%), ammonium sulfate production (4%), ammonium nitrate production (11%), oilfired power plant (0.1%), gypsum handling (10%) and crustal (2%).

Method for the Determination of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(II), and Pd(II) at ppb/subppb Levels by Ion Chromatography

Abstract A method for the determination of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Fe(II), and Pd(II) at ppb/subppb levels by ion chromatography was developed, improving a previous work of the same authors. In order to lower the detection limits, the direct injection of a large sample volume (5 mL) and 4‐(2‐pyridylazo) resorcinol solution at pH 6, with hexadecylpyridinium chloride as the post‐column reagent were used. The obtained calibration curves were linear (for each metal R2≥0.99) with good reproducibility; the detection limits for Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Fe(II), and Pd(II) were 1.1, 0.46, 39, 0.18, 4.5, and 1.7 ppb, respectively.