A comparison of XRF and microwave assisted digestion ICP-MS analysis for determining trace elements in ambient particles and its implications in source receptor modeling
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The proposed microwave acid digestion procedure followed by the optimized ICP-MS analysis method is robust, fast, and well suited for the determination of trace to ultra-trace level elemental content of atmospheric fine particulate matter that can be implemented in most laboratories. Under the optimized conditions, a 2-stage digestion at set points of 200 C, 200 psig, and 20 min. dwell time using HNO3 + HF in the 1st stage and H 3BO3 in the 2nd stage was adequate to obtain the quantitative elemental recoveries. XRF measurements in industrialized urban environments should be augmented with ICP-MS to better characterize and identify anthropogenic emissions because elemental concentrations are often below XRF detection limits.