title: Determination of ultra-trace levels of gold in size-segregated atmospheric particulate samples by laser induced fluorescence: towards an aerosol tracer.
abstract: A method is described for measuring the gold content of integral and size-segregated samples of atmospheric particulate matter. After acid digestion and a liquid/ liquid extraction, the sample are analysed by Two-Colour Laser Induced Fluorescence in a graphite furnace. An absolute instrumental detection limit of 1 fg is achieved. Assuming a sampled volume of 1 m(3), this corresponds to an atmospheric concentration of 50 fg m(-3). Due to blank limited noise, the above limits increase to 20 fg and 1 pg m(-3), respectively. Results of the analysis of filter samples as well as of size-segregated impactor samples are presented.
authors.affiliation: Joint Research Centre, Environment Institute, Commission of the European Communities, I-21020, Ispra (Varese), Italy.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beissler
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Petrucci
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bächmann
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Panne
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Omenetto