From February 15th to April 15th 2009, a period characterised by two episodes of Saharan dust outbreaks in Italy, particulate matter (PM) samples were collected at two stations (urban and suburban) in Rome. Some samples were selected and analysed using the SEM-EDS technique to characterise PM, focussing especially on the mineral contribution. Samples were representative both of days affected by Saharan dust episodes and days without this contribution. Cluster analysis allowed the attribution of each of about 67 000 analysed particles to one of the seven main statistical groups based on their composition. Characteristics of the particulate components identified using SEM-EDS analysis were verified by PIXE analysis carried out on filters collected in a suburban area. Ultimately, the contribution of crustal particles was revealed to be consistently high, highlighting the importance of local and regional mineral contributions, as well as those of Saharan origin. Therefore, quantifying all mineral contributions to resuspended particulate could lead to significant reductions of the PM level also on days not influenced by Saharan dust, thus limiting conditions when PM10 daily limit value (DLV) established by European legislation is exceeded.

Saharan dust contribution to PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 in urban and suburban areas of Rome: a comparison between single-particle SEM-EDS analysis and whole-sample PIXE analysis / Luca Matassoni; Giovanni Pratesi; Damiano Centioli; Fabio Cadoni; Franco Lucarelli; Silvia Nava; Piergiorgio Malesani. - In: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING. - ISSN 1464-0333. - STAMPA. - 13:(2011), pp. 732-742. [10.1039/c0em00535e]

Saharan dust contribution to PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 in urban and suburban areas of Rome: a comparison between single-particle SEM-EDS analysis and whole-sample PIXE analysis

MATASSONI, LUCA;PRATESI, GIOVANNI;LUCARELLI, FRANCO;Silvia Nava;MALESANI, PIERGIORGIO
2011

Abstract

From February 15th to April 15th 2009, a period characterised by two episodes of Saharan dust outbreaks in Italy, particulate matter (PM) samples were collected at two stations (urban and suburban) in Rome. Some samples were selected and analysed using the SEM-EDS technique to characterise PM, focussing especially on the mineral contribution. Samples were representative both of days affected by Saharan dust episodes and days without this contribution. Cluster analysis allowed the attribution of each of about 67 000 analysed particles to one of the seven main statistical groups based on their composition. Characteristics of the particulate components identified using SEM-EDS analysis were verified by PIXE analysis carried out on filters collected in a suburban area. Ultimately, the contribution of crustal particles was revealed to be consistently high, highlighting the importance of local and regional mineral contributions, as well as those of Saharan origin. Therefore, quantifying all mineral contributions to resuspended particulate could lead to significant reductions of the PM level also on days not influenced by Saharan dust, thus limiting conditions when PM10 daily limit value (DLV) established by European legislation is exceeded.
2011
13
732
742
Luca Matassoni; Giovanni Pratesi; Damiano Centioli; Fabio Cadoni; Franco Lucarelli; Silvia Nava; Piergiorgio Malesani
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/406747
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