PIXE, PIGE and ion chromatography of aerosol particles from northeast Amazon Basin

Abstract

Characterization of atmospheric aerosols collected in the northeast part of the Amazon Basin is presented. The main aerosol source in that region is the forest natural biogenic emission. The aerosol samples were collected using stacked filter units, and were analyzed applying several analytical techniques: Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) for the quantitative analysis of trace elements with 2 > 1 I; Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE) for the quantitative analysis of Na; Ion Chromatography (IC) was used to quantify ionic contents of aerosols from the fine mode particulate samples. A reflectance technique was used in order to measure black carbon concentrations; Gravimetric analysis was used in order to determine the total atmospheric aerosol mass concentration. The comparison from PIXE and IC concentration measurements for S. K and Ca techniques were in an excellent agreement. A good agreement was also obtained for Na concentrations measured by PIGE and IC techniques. Multivariate statistical analysis was used in order to identify and characterize the sources of the atmospheric aerosol present in the sampled region. The Serra do Navio aerosol is characterized by biogenic emissions. responsible for the majority of the total fine mass concentration. A strong marine influence was also noted. Soil dust is also an important aerosol source in that region.