Ricerc@Sapienza

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 innovative samplers have been employed, along with biomonitors, to evaluate the spatial variability of PM10 mass concentration and its main chemical components in the area of Terni, a urban/industrial hot-spot sited in an intramountain depression of Central Italy.