Elemental analysis of PM2.5 using PIXE and NAA in Xinzhen, Beijing

Abstract

Samples collected from February 2017 to January 2018 were analyzed by Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Black Carbon meter, and 17 elements were determined. Among them, S, Cl, K, Mn and BC had similar temporal trends with PM2.5, and increased significantly under heavy pollution in winter, while Al、Ca、Mg、Si and Ti were the typical crustal elements. From December 19th to 30th, seven samples were re-measured by short-irradiation of Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), which performed 15 element concentrations, Ba, Ti, I, Br, Mn, Mg, Cu, In, Na, V, K, Cl, Al, Ca and S. In, Br, V, Ba and I increased remarkably in this process of pollution, compared with those not determined by PIXE. Moreover, NAA has a high sensitivity for In, a trace element in PM2.5,which may be a key element associated with potential pollution sources. For the common elements measured by NAA and PIXE, the values of Mn, Ca, Al, S and Mg were almost equal to each other.