Mapping of aerosols' elemental distribution in two zones in Romania by PIXE analysis
Abstract
In the summer of 1994 aerosol particles were collected from different places, using a portable stacked filter unit, with filters of 8 and 0.4 μm. Sampling was performed in order to obtain the spatial distribution of elemental concentrations of aerosols. The Van de Graaff machine in Nagoya University was used for PIXE analysis of the samples. Results were processed both in Bucharest and in Nagoya. Iso-level maps for the concentration of each of the interesting elements were drawn. Correlation was made between the industry, vegetation, weather, local geography and the concentrations above-mentioned. Major industrial pollution sources were put into evidence. For example, the Si distribution in Bucharest and Dobrogea region turned to be in close link with the vegetation and surface water distribution. The ratio between coarse (8 μm) and fine (0.4 μm) particles is related to human activity (traffic, mining, buildings). Sulphur, in its turn, follows the territorial distribution of thermal power plants and refineries (fine particles), while coarse particles seem to concentrate in high traffic areas (Diesel engines). Pb concentrations, too, respect the traffic density distribution. More than 15 elements were mapped and interesting comments could be done.
- Publication:
-
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B
- Pub Date:
- September 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0168-583X(95)01088-2
- Bibcode:
- 1996NIMPB.118..403A