Simultaneous analysis of gaseous and particulate sulfur in the atmosphere by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract

An analytical technique for the simultaneous measurement of the atmospheric concentrations of SO₂ gas and sulfur absorbed by aerosol particles has been developed. Aerosol particles are collected on membrane filter and at the same time SO₂ gas is captured on alkali impregnated filter. The sulfur content in each filter is measured by an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer consisting of a Si(Li) semiconductor detector connected to a multichannel pulse height analyzer and an excitation source of⁵⁵Fe. Two methods are acceptable for the determination of the sulfur content in impregnated filter by X-ray fluorescence analysis. In the first method X-ray fluorescence analysis is made after the collected sulfur has diffused and distributed uniformly enough throughout the filter, and in the second method X-ray fluorescence analysis has to be finished before the diffusion of the collected sulfur becomes appreciable. Some results of simultaneous analysis of SO₂ gas and particulate sulfur in the atmosphere are presented.