Single particle
characterization can provide information on the evolution of size distribution
and chemical composition of pollution aerosol. The work described the use of
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) combined with X-ray Dispersive Energy
Spectrometry (EDS) to characterize inorganic atmospheric particles samples
collected on PM10 filters from January 2013 to October 2013 from three zones
within the city of Hermosillo, Sonora. Specimens were initially processed by separating
the collected particles from the filters by means of submersing a 2 cm2 section of each filter into isopropilic alcohol within a test tube for 5
minutes. Then, an aliquot of
the suspension was placed over a sample holder and into the SEM. The different
elements found amongst
individual particles were Al, Ba, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, S, Si,
Ti and U. The predominant elements are Al (17.10 At%), Si (10.17 At%), Ba (5.90
At%), Fe (5.45 At%) and U (2.32 At%). The particles were classified into groups
based on morphology and elemental composition: particles of aluminosilicate,
salts of sodium chloride, sulfates, metal particles, barium and uranium. These
particles morphology and chemical composition, illustrate an abundance of
natural elements within the zone. However, some of the elements presented are
directly related with human activities, and are of much interest from the
public health and environmental perspectives.
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