A new very-low volume sampler has been developed with the purpose of allowing spatially-resolved determination of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and of its chemical components. The low-cost, automatic and self-powered device assures long-term (1-2 months) collection of PM on membrane filters, suitable for subsequent chemical analyses. The device showed very good performance in terms of repeatability of the samplings.
The study of the spatial distribution of atmospheric PM and of its components is essential for a reliable identification of emission sources, the evaluation of particle dispersion over the territory and the assessment of personal exposure. However, the very high cost of a network based on traditional PM samplers generally prevents the achievement of these goals. A low-cost, self-powered and automatic device for PM sampling on membrane filters has been recently become available.
A new very-low volume sampler has been developed with the purpose of allowing spatially-resolved determination of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and of its chemical components. The low-cost, automatic and self-powered device assures long-term (1-2 months) collection of PM on membrane filters, suitable for subsequent chemical analyses. The device has been validated during a 1-year study focused on the concentration of PM10 mass, ions, levoglucosane, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and elements.
A study of spatial variability of PM10 elemental components was conducted in Terni city (Central Italy), situated in an intramountain depression characterized by the presence of several particulate matter emission sources. The meteorological conditions of the Terni basin limit the dispersion and enhance the accumulation of atmospheric pollutants. Thanks to the utilization of new smart samplers, used for the ?rst time and working in parallel at 23 sampling sites, spatially resolved data were obtained.
A study of spatial variability of PM10 elemental components was conducted in Terni city (Central Italy), situated in an intramountain depression characterized by the presence of several particulate matter emission sources. The meteorological conditions of Terni basin limit the dispersion and enhance the accumulation of the atmospheric pollutants. Thanks to the utilization of new samplers (Smart Sampler), used for the first time and working in parallel at 23 sampling sites, spatially resolved data were obtained.
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