S R Biegalski | PubMed Health

PubMed2004

Total potential source contribution function analysis of trace elements determined in aerosol samples collected near Lake Huron.

Aerosol samples were collected at the rural Burnt Island Ontario Integrated Air Deposition Network air sampling station on the northern shore of Lake Huron from 1992 through 1994. The samples were analyzed for trace elements by neutron activation analysis, and the air concentrations of over 30 elements were determined. Total potential source contribution function analysis (TPSCF) was used to determine the most probable geographical location of these aerosols' origin. The TPSCF results for As, In, Sb, Se, Sn, and Zn are highlighted in this paper. Source regions for these elements ranged from Alma, Quebec, Canada to Carrollton, GA. Because of large seasonal variations in the concentrations of the atmospheric concentrations of these elements, TPSCFvalues were calculated for the summer and winter halves of the year as well as the entire year.

Aerosols↗

PubMed1999

Optimizing the removal of carbon phases in soils and sediments for sequential chemical extractions by coulometry.

We have developed a coulometric technique to optimize the removal of the carbonate and organic fractions for sequential chemical extractions of soils and sediments. The coulometric system facilitates optimizing these two fractions by direct real-time measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) evolved during the removal of these two fractions. Further analyses by ICP-MS and alpha-spectrometry aided in interpreting the results of coulometry experiments. The effects of time, temperature, ionic strength and pH were investigated. The sensitivity of the coulometric reaction vessel/detection system was sufficient even at very low total carbon content (< 0.1 mol kg-1). The efficiency of the system is estimated to be 96% with a standard deviation of 8%. Experiments were carried out using NIST Standard Reference Materials 4357 Ocean Sediment (OS), 2704 Buffalo River Sediment (BRS), and pure calcium carbonate. Carbonate minerals were dissolved selectively using an ammonium acetate-acetic acid buffer. Organic matter was then oxidized to CO2 using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in nitric acid. The carbonate fraction was completely dissolved within 120 min under all conditions examined (literature suggests up to 8 h). For the OS standard, the oxidation of organic matter self-perpetuates between 45 and 50 degrees C, a factor of two less than commonly suggested, while organic carbon in the BRS standard required 80 degrees C for the reaction to proceed to completion. For complete oxidation of organic matter, we find that at least three additions of H2O2 are required (popular methods suggest one or two).

Carbon↗