Abstract
A novel and robust method for the simultaneous determination of lead, cadmium, arsenic, and nickel in atmospheric particulate matter by multi-element electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was developed, using zirconium–iridium coating as permanent modifier (140 μg Zr and 4 μg Ir). After 300 atomization cycles, it was necessary to add 2 μg of Ir. Due to the varying concentrations of Pb in atmospheric particulate matter, lead was monitored at two wavelengths, at the less sensitive line of 261.4 nm for high concentration samples (>20 μg L−1) or at 283.3 nm for the low concentration samples. Matrix-matched calibration had to be performed for quantitative recoveries (96–102 %). Following this approach, the four elements were determined in atmospheric particulate matter samples from an industrial area near the city of Athens in two different time periods (cold–warm) with limits of detection of 5.5 ng m−3 for Pb at 261.4 nm and 0.29 ng m−3 at 283.3 nm, 0.019 ng m−3 for Cd, 0.14 ng m−3 for As, and 0.22 ng m−3 for Ni. Lead, Cd, and As levels were very low, whereas Ni content was at comparable levels with other areas worldwide.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ajtony, Z., Szoboszlai, N., Suskó, E. K., Mezei, P., György, K., & Bencs, L. (2008). Direct sample introduction of wines in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of arsenic, cadmium, copper and lead content. Talanta, 76, 627–634.
Barbosa, F., Jr., Lima, E. C., Zanão, R. A., & Krug, F. J. (2001). The use of a W–Rh permanent modifier for direct determination of bismuth in urine and whole blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 16, 842–846.
Basha, S., Jhala, J., Thorat, R., Goel, S., Trivedi, R., Shah, K., Menon, G., Gaur, P., Mody, K. H., & Jha, B. (2010). Assessment of heavy metal content in suspended particulate matter of coastal industrial town, Mithapur, Gujarat, India. Atmospheric Research, 97, 257–265.
Berglund, M., Frech, W., & Baxter, D. C. (1991). Achieving efficient, multi-element atomisation conditions for atomic absorption spectrometry using a platform-equipped, integrated-contact furnace and a palladium modifier. Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 46, 1767–1777.
Bulska, E., Piaścik, M., Katskov, D., Darangwa, N., & Grotti, M. (2007). Investigation of aging processes of graphite tubes modified with iridium and rhodium used for atomic spectrometry. Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 62, 1195–1202.
Caldas, N. M., Raposo, J. L., Jr., Gomes Neto, J. A., & Barbosa, F., Jr. (2009). Effect of modifiers for As, Cu and Pb determinations in sugar-cane spirits by GFAAS. Food Chemistry, 113, 1266–1271.
Cave, M. R., Butler, O., Cook, J. M., Cresser, M. S., Garden, L. M., Holden, A. J., & Miles, D. L. (1999). Environmental analysis-atomic spectrometry update. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 14, 279–352.
Council Directive 1999/30/EC, relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air. Official Journal L 163, 29/06/1999 P. 0041–060.
Council Directive, 2004/107/EC, relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air. Official Journal L 023, 26/01/2005 P. 0003–016.
Council Directive, on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. Official Journal L 152, 11/06/2008 P. 0001–0044.
da Silva, J. B. B., da Silva, M. A. M., Curtius, A. J., & Welz, B. (1999). Determination of Ag, Pb and Sn in aqua regia extracts from sediments by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using Ru as a permanent modifier. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 14, 1737–1742.
EPA 600/4-77-027a, Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurements, vol 11, Ambient Air Specific Methods.
Filho, V. R. A., Fernandes, K. G., de Moraes, M., & Neto, J. A. G. (2004). Evaluation of the mixtures ammonium phosphate/magnesium nitrate and palladium nitrate/magnesium nitrate as modifiers for simultaneous determination of Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb in mineral water by GFAAS. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, 15, 28–33.
Frech, W., & L’vov, B. V. (1993). Matrix vapours and physical interference effects in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry—II. Side-heated tubes. Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 48, 1371–1379.
Freschi, G. P. G., Freschi, C. D., & Neto, J. A. G. (2008). Evaluation of different rhodium modifiers and coatings on the simultaneous determination of As, Bi, Pb, Sb, Se and of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn in milk by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Microchimica Acta, 161, 129–135.
Gallorini, M., Rizzio, E., Birattari, C., Bonardi, M., & Croppi, F. (1999). Content of trace elements in the respirable fractions of the air particulate of urban and rural areas monitored by neutron activation analysis. Biological Trace Element Research, 71, 209–222.
Gao, Y., Nelson, E. D., Field, M. P., Ding, Q., Li, H., Sherrell, R. M., Gigliotti, C. L., Van Ry, D. A., Glenn, T. R., & Eisenreich, S. J. (2002). Characterization of atmospheric trace elements on PM2.5 particulate matter over the New York–New Jersey harbour estuary. Atmospheric Environment, 36, 1077–1086.
Gerboles, M., Buzica, D., Brown, R. J. C., Yardley, R. E., Hanus-Illnar, A., Salfinger, M., Vallant, B., Adriaenssens, E., Claeys, N., Roekens, E., Sega, K., Jurasovic, J., Rychlik, S., Rabinak, E., Tanet, G., Passarella, R., Pedroni, V., Karlsson, V., Alleman, L., Pfeffer, U., Gladtke, D., Olschewski, A., O’Leary, B., O’Dwyer, M., Pockeviciute, D., Biel-Cwikowska, J., & Turšič, J. (2011). Interlaboratory comparison exercise for the determination of As, Cd, Ni and Pb in PM10 in Europe. Atmospheric Environment, 45, 3488–3499.
Giacomelli, M. B. O., da Silva, J. B. B., Saint’ Pierre, T. D., & Curtius, A. J. (2004). Use of iridium plus rhodium as permanent modifier to determine As, Cd and Pb in acids and ethanol by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Microchemical Journal, 77, 151–156.
Gupta, A. K., Karar, K., & Srivastava, A. (2007). Chemical mass balance source apportionment of PM10 and TSP in residential and industrial sites of an urban region of Kolkata, India. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 142, 279–287.
Harnly, J. M., & Radziuk, B. (1995). Effect of furnace atomization temperatures on simultaneous multielement atomic absorption measurement using a transversely-heated graphite atomizer. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 10, 197–206.
Hieu, N. T., & Lee, B.-K. (2010). Characteristics of particulate matter and metals in the ambient air from a residential area in the largest industrial city in Korea. Atmospheric Research, 98, 526–537.
Hoenig, M., & Cilissen, A. (1997). Performances and practical applications of simultaneous multi-element electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry the case of SIMAA 6000. Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 52, 1443–1449.
Kalantzis, V., Rousis, N., Pasias, I., Thomaidis, N., & Piperaki, E. (2012). Evaluation of different modifiers for the determination of arsenic in leachate samples from sanitary landfills by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Analytical Letters, 45, 592–602.
Kim, K.-H., Lee, J.-H., & Jang, M.-S. (2002). Metals in airborne particulate matter from the first and second industrial complex area of Taejon city, Korea. Environmental Pollution, 118, 41–51.
Lima, E. C., Brasil, J. L., & Santos, A. H. D. P. (2003). Evaluation of Rh, Ir, Ru, W–Rh, W–Ir and W–Ru as permanent modifiers for the determination of lead in ashes, coals, sediments, sludges, soils, and freshwaters by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta, 484, 233–242.
Lima, E. C., Krug, F. J., & Jackson, K. W. (1998). Evaluation of tungsten–rhodium coating on an integrated platform as a permanent chemical modifier for cadmium, lead, and selenium determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 53, 1791–1804.
López, J. M., Callén, M. S., Murillo, R., García, T., Navarro, M. V., de la Cruz, M. T., & Mastral, A. M. (2005). Levels of selected metals in ambient air PM10 in an urban site of Zaragoza (Spain). Environmental Research, 99, 58–67.
Meeravali, N. N., & Kumar, S. J. (2001). The utility of a W–Ir permanent chemical modifier for the determination of Ni and V in emulsified fuel oils and naphtha by transverse heated electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 16, 527–532.
Merešová, J., Florek, M., Holý, K., Ješkovský, M., Sýkora, I., Frontasyeva, M. V., Pavlov, S. S., & Bujdoš, M. (2008). Evaluation of elemental content in air-borne particulate matter in low-level atmosphere of Bratislava. Atmospheric Environment, 42, 8079–8085.
Na, K., & Cocker, D. R., III. (2009). Characterization and source identification of trace elements in PM2.5 from Mira Loma, Southern California. Atmospheric Research, 93, 793–800.
Nishikawa, M., Matsui, I., Batdorj, D., Jugder, D., Mori, I., Shimizu, A., Sugimoto, N., & Takahashi, K. (2011). Chemical composition of urban airborne particulate matter in Ulaanbaatar. Atmospheric Environment, 45, 5710–5715.
Ortner, H. M., Bulska, E., Rohr, U., Schlemmer, G., Weinbruch, S., & Welz, B. (2002). Modifiers and coatings in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry—mechanisms of action (a tutorial review). Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 57, 1835–1853.
Pancras, J. P., Ondov, J. M., & Zeisler, R. (2005). Multi-element electrothermal AAS determination of 11 marker elements in fine ambient aerosol slurry samples collected with SEAS-II. Analytica Chimica Acta, 538, 303–312.
Perkin-Elmer Corp. (1994). SIMAA 6000 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer manual.
Perrino, C., Catrambone, M., & Esposito, G. (2009). Characterisation of gaseous and particulate atmospheric pollutants in the East Mediterranean by diffusion denuder sampling lines (2009). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 152, 231–244.
Quiterio, S. L., da Silva, C. R. S., Arbilla, G., & Escaleira, V. (2004). Metals in airborne particulate matter in the industrial district of Santa Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, in an annual period. Atmospheric Environment, 38, 321–331.
Rademeyer, C. J., Radziuk, B., Romanova, N., Skaugset, N. P., Skogstad, A., & Thomassen, Y. (1995). Permanent iridium modifier for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 10, 739–745.
Rademeyer, C. J., Radziuk, B., Romanova, N., Thomassen, Y., & Tittarelli, P. (1997). Reduction of background absorption in the measurement of cadmium, lead and selenium in whole blood using iridium-sputtered graphite tubes in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 12, 81–84.
Radziuk, B., Rödel, G., Zeiher, M., Mizuno, S., & Yamamoto, K. (1995). Solid state detector for simultaneous multi-element electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman-effect background correction. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 10, 415–422.
Ragosta, M., Caggiano, R., D’Emilio, M., & Macchiato, M. (2002). Source origin and parameters influencing levels of heavy metals in TSP, in an industrial background area of Southern Italy. Atmospheric Environment, 36, 3071–3087.
Resano, M., Rello, L., Flórez, M., & Belarra, M. A. (2011). On the possibilities of high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the simultaneous or sequential monitoring of multiple atomic lines. Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 66, 321–328.
Salam, A., Bauer, H., Kassin, K., Ullah, S. M., & Puxbaum, H. (2003). Aerosol chemical characteristics of a mega-city in Southeast Asia (Dhaka—Bangladesh). Atmospheric Environment, 37, 2517–2528.
Schlemmer, G., & Welz, B. (1986). Palladium and magnesium nitrates, a more universal modifier for graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 41, 1157–1165.
Shah, M. H., & Shaheen, N. (2007). Statistical analysis of atmospheric trace metals and particulate fractions in Islamabad, Pakistan. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 147, 759–767.
Shah, M. H., Shaheen, N., Jaffar, M., Khalique, A., Tariq, S. R., & Manzoor, S. (2006). Spatial variations in selected metal contents and particle size distribution in an urban and rural atmosphere of Islamabad, Pakistan. Journal of Environmental Management, 78, 128–137.
Shridhar, V., Khillare, P. S., Agarwa, l. T., & Ray, S. (2010). Metallic species in ambient particulate matter at rural and urban location of Delhi. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 175, 600–607.
Smichowski, P., Marrero, J., & Gómez, D. (2005). Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric determination of trace element in PM10 airborne particulate matter collected in an industrial area of Argentina. Microchemical Journal, 80, 9–17.
Thomaidis, N. S., Manalis, N., Viras, L., & Lekkas, T. D. (2001). Determination of lead, cadmium, arsenic and nickel in atmospheric particulate matter by simultaneous multi-element electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 79, 121–132.
Tsalev, D. L., D’Ulivo, A., Lampugnani, L., Di Marco, M., & Zamboni, R. (1996). Thermally stabilized iridium on an integrated, carbide-coated platform as a permanent modifier for hydride-forming elements in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Part 2. Hydride generation and collection, and behaviour of some organoelement species. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 11, 979–988.
van der Gon, H. D., & Appelman, W. (2009). Lead emissions from road transport in Europe: a revision of current estimates using various estimation methodologies. Science of the Total Environment, 407, 5367–5372.
Vijayanand, C., Rajaguru, P., Kalaiselvi, K., Panneer Selvam, K., & Palanivel, M. (2008). Assessment of heavy metal contents in the ambient air of the Coimbatore city, Tamilnadu, India. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 160, 548–553.
Vilar, M., Barciela, J., García-Martín, S., Peña, R. M., & Herrero, C. (2007). Comparison of different permanent chemical modifiers for lead determination in Orujo spirits by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Talanta, 71, 1629–1636.
Volynsky, A. B. (1998). Graphite atomizers modified with high-melting carbides for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. II. Practical aspects. Spectrochimica Acta Part B, 53, 1607–1645.
Voutsa, D., Samara, C., Kouimtzis, T., & Ochsenkühn, K. (2002). Elemental composition of airborne particulate matter in the multi-impacted urban area of Thessaloniki, Greece. Atmospheric Environment, 36, 4453–4462.
Welz, B. (2005). High-resolution continuum source AAS: the better way to perform atomic absorption spectrometry. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 381, 69–71.
Welz, B., Becker-Ross, H., Florek, S., Heitmann, U., & Vale, M. G. R. (2003). High-resolution continuum-source atomic absorption spectrometry—what can we expect? Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, 14, 220–229.
Zereini, F., Alt, F., Messerschmidt, J., Wiseman, C., Feldmann, I., Von Bohlen, A., Müller, J., Liebl, K., & Puttmann, W. (2005). Concentration and distribution of heavy metals in urban airborne particulate matter in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Environmental Science and Technology, 39, 2983–2989.
Zlotorzynska, E. D., Kelly, M., Chen, H., & Chakrabarti, C. L. (2005). Application of capillary electrophoresis combined with a modified BCR sequential extraction for estimating of distribution of selected trace metals in PM2.5 fractions of urban airborne particulate matter. Chemosphere, 58, 1365–1376.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
ESM 1
(DOC 1232 kb)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pasias, Ι.N., Τhomaidis, Ν.S., Bakeas, E.B. et al. Application of zirconium–iridium permanent modifier for the simultaneous determination of lead, cadmium, arsenic, and nickel in atmospheric particulate matter by multi-element electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Environ Monit Assess 185, 6867–6879 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3071-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3071-0