Determination of ultra-trace levels of gold in size-segregated atmospheric particulate samples by laser induced fluorescence: towards an aerosol tracer.
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.
Beissler
H
H
Joint Research Centre, Environment Institute, Commission of the European Communities, I-21020, Ispra (Varese), Italy.
Petrucci
G A
GA
Bächmann
K
K
Panne
U
U
Cavalli
P
P
Omenetto
N
N