Characterization of atmospheric aerosols separated by particle size and water solubility using PIXE analysis

The elemental characteristics of atmospheric aerosols were investigated as a function of particle size and water solubility. The atmospheric aerosols were sampled with classifying into eight size ranges. Collected aerosol particles were extracted by ultrapure water and filtered to be separated into soluble and insoluble components. The concentrations of 15 elements in both components were determined by PIXE analysis. In general, the mass size distribution of particulate matter was represented as a bimodal distribution. The mass size distributions of S, Zn and ph skewed to the smaller size range and those of Si, Ca, Fe and Ti skewed to the larger size range. They had roughly one peak in the fine and coarse particle region, respectively. On the other hand, the mass size distribution of K, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Br were represented as the bimodal distribution. Fe, Ti and Si in the aerosol particles extracted into pure water are existing in high insoluble state. Conversely, almost the whole of S and Cl is dissolved in water.