Port of Koper-elemental concentrations in aerosols by PIXE

• Published in: X-ray spectrometry 2005-07, Vol.34 (4), p.330-334
• Main Authors: Žitnik, M., Jakomin, M., Pelicon, P., Rupnik, Z., Simčič, J., Budnar, M., Grlj, N., Marzi, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Spectrometric and optical methods
• ISSN: 0049-8246; 1097-4539
• DOI: 10.1002/xrs.828

The elemental composition of PM10 aerosols in the vicinity of the open‐air bulk terminal in the Port of Koper, Slovenia, was determined. Using a combination of short but intense and longer but relatively simple set‐up of sampling points and sampling periods, we studied elemental concentrations ranging from S to Br and Pb due to the presence of the terminal and related activities. We observed a decrease in concentrations with respect to the distance from the source and a long‐term correlation of different elemental concentrations detected during the non‐stop 2‐year sampling period. Two types of filters, Nuclepore and quartz fibre, were used for sampling as being most appropriate for different aims of the project. The filters were irradiated with 2 MeV protons at the PIXE beamline of the Microanalytical Centre at Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI). The elemental concentrations were obtained by analysing the recorded x‐ray spectra with the GUPIX code. We found a strong correlation between iron ore transfer and Fe concentration in PM10. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.