Journal article
Single-Particle SEM-EDX Analysis of Iron-Containing Coarse Particulate Matter in an Urban Environment: Sources and Distribution of Iron within Cleveland, Ohio
Environmental science & technology, Vol.46(8), pp.4331-4339
2012
DOI: 10.1021/es204006k
PMID: 22435663
Abstract
The physicochemical properties of coarse-mode, iron-containing particles and their temporal and spatial distributions are poorly understood. Single-particle analysis combining X-ray elemental mapping and computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM-EDX) of passively collected particles was used to investigate the physicochemical properties of iron-containing particles in Cleveland, OH, in summer 2008 (Aug-Sept), summer 2009 (July-Aug), and winter 2010 (Feb-March). The most abundant classes of iron-containing particles were iron oxide fly ash, mineral dust, NaCl-containing agglomerates (likely from road salt), and Ca-S containing agglomerates (likely from slag, a byproduct of steel production, or gypsum in road salt). The mass concentrations of anthropogenic fly ash particles were highest in the Flats region (downtown) and decreased with distance away from this region. The concentrations of fly ash in the Flats region were consistent with interannual changes in steel production. These particles were observed to be highly spherical in the Flats region, but less so after transport away from downtown. This change in morphology may be attributed to atmospheric processing. Overall, this work demonstrates that the method of passive collection with single-particle analysis by electron microscopy is a powerful tool to study spatial and temporal gradients in components of coarse particles. These gradients may correlate with human health effects associated with exposure to coarse-mode particulate matter.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Single-Particle SEM-EDX Analysis of Iron-Containing Coarse Particulate Matter in an Urban Environment: Sources and Distribution of Iron within Cleveland, Ohio
- Creators
- Andrew P Ault - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United StatesThomas M Peters - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United StatesEric J Sawvel - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United StatesGary S Casuccio - RJ Lee Group, Inc., Monroeville, Pennsylvania 15146, United StatesRobert D Willis - Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United StatesGary A Norris - Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United StatesVicki H Grassian - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental science & technology, Vol.46(8), pp.4331-4339
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society
- DOI
- 10.1021/es204006k
- PMID
- 22435663
- ISSN
- 0013-936X
- eISSN
- 1520-5851
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2012
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health; Chemistry; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984214828102771
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