Size selective elemental concentration of aerosol particles using SR-XRF

MARIANA ACHAD; MARÍA LAURA LOPEZ; SERGIO CEPPI; GUSTAVO GERARDO PALANCAR; GERMÁN TIRAO; BEATRIZ MARGARITA TOSELLI

Congreso; 23ª Reunión Anual de Usuarios del LNLS; 2013

Size and chemical composition are the two main parameters that affect the way in which particulate matter can correlate with its effects on the environment. It is recognized that both parameters are largely determined by their sources. Therefore making identification of them and their size-segregated components is critical to define source specific health risks. PM10 (particulate matter 10 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter) and PM2.5 (particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter) are considered among the main pollutants of concern, especially in urbanized areas where they have been directly related with the incidence and severity of respiratory diseases. Finer particles (i.e. PM0.5 and PM0.25, particulate matter 0.5 micrometers and 0.25 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter, respectively) can contain a high proportion of various toxic metals, organic compounds, etc. Their concentration varies spatially and temporally and is connected to the sources of aerosols and their transformations in the atmosphere.