Elemental and isotopic compositions in blank filters collecting atmospheric particulates

Jeonghoon Kim,Jiyeong Lee,Jong-Sik Ryu,Seok Jeong,Minjune Yang,Kongtae Ra,Hyeryeong Jeong,Hye Jung Chang

doi:10.1186/s40543-021-00279-1

Abstract

BackgroundThe atmospheric particulates can be harmful to human health due to toxic substances sorbed onto particulates. Although the atmospheric particulates have been collected using different types of filters, few studies have reported background contents of major and trace element, and isotopic compositions in the blank filters used for collecting the particulates yet. Here, we first report background contents of major and trace elements, and isotopic compositions (Zn and Pb isotopes) in the blank filters. Then, we evaluate the best type of filter for elemental and isotope analyses in the particulates.FindingsThe contents of major elements are the lowest in the PTFE filter and become higher in the order of the Nylon, NC, and GF filters, indicating that either PTFE and/or Nylon filters are the most suitable for major element analysis in the atmospheric particulates. Likewise, the contents of trace elements are the lowest in the PTFE filter and become much higher in the order of the Nylon, NC, and GF filters, indicating that PTFE filter is the most suitable for trace element analysis in the atmospheric particulates. Otherwise, background elemental contents result in overestimating their concentrations in the atmospheric particulates. All δ66ZnJMC-Lyon values in two GF filters are within those from samples of the Chinese deserts and of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Likewise, their 206Pb/204Pb ratios are similar with those of samples from Xi’an and Beijing, indicating that the GF filter is not suitable for Zn and Pb isotope study in the atmospheric particulates.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the PTFE filter is the most suitable for elemental and isotope study in the atmospheric particulates and that the GF filter cannot be used for source identification in the atmospheric particulates using Zn and Pb isotopes.

Highlights

Particulates in the atmosphere emitted from natural and anthropogenic sources can be harmful to human health, widely ranging from respiratory illnesses (NOx, SO2, PM2.5, and O3), to diminished delivery of oxygen to vitalLee et al Journal of Analytical Science and Technology (2021) 12:27Cr, and Ni) and metalloids (e.g., As and Sb) are often sorbed onto particulates, increasing the toxicity of the particulate (Csavina et al 2012).Traditionally, four types of filter material to collect the atmospheric particulate have been used, which are Teflon, quartz/glass fiber, mixed fiber, and membrane filter types, depending on variables such as metal content, artifact formation, and affinity for moisture (US EPA 1999)
Quartz- and glass-fiber filters have been used for determining mass loading, cellulose filters for gas-absorbing compounds, and Polytetrafluoroethylene filter (PTFE) filters for trace elements and isotopes (Chow and Watson 2012; Ali 2016)
If the content of particulate is low and contents of heavy metals are low, the contribution of heavy metals in the blank filter to those sorbed onto the particulates would be critical because background contents of trace elements result in overestimating their concentrations in the particulates

Summary

Introduction

Particulates in the atmosphere emitted from natural and anthropogenic sources can be harmful to human health, widely ranging from respiratory illnesses (NOx, SO2, PM2.5, and O3), to diminished delivery of oxygen to vitalLee et al Journal of Analytical Science and Technology (2021) 12:27Cr, and Ni) and metalloids (e.g., As and Sb) are often sorbed onto particulates, increasing the toxicity of the particulate (Csavina et al 2012).Traditionally, four types of filter material to collect the atmospheric particulate have been used, which are Teflon, quartz/glass fiber, mixed fiber, and membrane filter types, depending on variables such as metal content, artifact formation, and affinity for moisture (US EPA 1999). Quartz- and glass-fiber filters have been used for determining mass loading, cellulose filters for gas-absorbing compounds, and PTFE filters for trace elements and isotopes (Chow and Watson 2012; Ali 2016). In spite of the importance of background elemental contents in the blank filter, there are only a few studies reporting them (Yang et al 2002; Karthikeyan et al 2006; Ali 2016). The atmospheric particulates can be harmful to human health due to toxic substances sorbed onto particulates. The atmospheric particulates have been collected using different types of filters, few studies have reported background contents of major and trace element, and isotopic compositions in the blank filters used for collecting the particulates yet. We first report background contents of major and trace elements, and isotopic compositions (Zn and Pb isotopes) in the blank filters. We evaluate the best type of filter for elemental and isotope analyses in the particulates

Methods

Results

Conclusion