Abstract: Laser microprobe mass analysis (LAMMA) was applied to particulate matter from the Atlantic Ocean. Inferring information about the surface layer by LAMMA was not probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA). Geochemically relevant groups of particles had been identified by EPXMA and cluster analysis. For both locations, the most abundant ones appeared to be those rich in silicon and the alumino-silicates. Afterwards LAMMA was applied to obtain more information about the trace element composition and surface characteristics. The iron-rich phase appeared to contain significant amounts of heavy metals and of phosphate. Lead appeared to be associated in detectable amounts with alumino-silicates in the Scheldt but not with those in the Atlantic Ocean. Inferring information about the surface layer by LAMMA was not always unambiguous.

Abstract: The 2,2′-diaminodiethylamine (DEN) functional group can be expected to have ideal properties for the chelation of transition metals and their collection from aqueous solutions, independent of the alkali and alkaline earth ions concentration. Introducing DEN into cellulose filters allows straightforward preconcentration of trace cations by a simple filtration step, and the DEN-filter constitutes a suitable target for X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The linearity between the XRF-response on the loaded DEN-filter and the trace cation concentration in the solution appears excellent, up to a total filter capacity of ca. 3 μeq.cm−2. The detection limits are around 0.5 μg. l−1 in most practical cases. Accuracy and precision are around 10%. The applicability of the proposed procedure is illustrated on a comparative basis by XRF-analysis of drinking water and surface water, after preconcentration by DEN-filtration and by alternative procedures.

Abstract: Artificially generated NaCl particles were coated with PAH's by using a condensation technique. These particles were exposed to reactive gases like ozone, bromine and nitrogen dioxide. The original as well as the exposed particles were investigated by fluorimetric analysis and by LAMMA (Laser Microprobe Mass Analysis) in the desorption mode, which allows the evaporation and characterization of surfaces of single particles. The results are interpreted in terms of possible heterogeneous atmospheric reactions. The reactivity of the considered PAH's towards nitrogen dioxide was found to be negligible. The structure of the reaction products formed with ozone was partially elucidated.

Abstract: In this study, we show the trends in the concentration Of SO2 and particulate matter (PM) in two health resorts, located in the tri-border region of Poland, Germany and Czech Republic. We analyze the annual time series and the seasonal variability of PM concentration for the months of July and February over the period of 1996-2007. Additionally, in July 2006, we measured the mean 24-hour concentration of PM and the content of heavy metals (by EDXRF analysis). We prove that nowadays air pollution in this region has diminished to a large extent as compared to the 90s of the last century. In Cieplice, the local influence is still evident; while Czerniawa is exposed to a periodical advection of polluted air from regional sources.

Abstract: Sensitive multi-element analysis techniques were applied to water samples collected in the vicinity of a small Zn-Pb-Cu sulfide mineralization in the region of Menez-Albot (Finistère, France). The variation of the trace-element content along a local stream shows the presence of the mineralization, mainly through a simultaneous positive anomaly in solution for a group of about 10 elements (e.g. Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sb) which are connected with this type of mineralization. The anomaly decreases steeply due to the influx of swamp water rich in Fe, Mn and organic matter. The precipitation barrier is reflected in the stream sediment composition. Contamination from fertilizers was observed in some samples.

Abstract: The control of damage to individual environmental particles by a laser beam during Raman spectroscopy carried out in ambient air is generally well understood. The nature and control of damage under vacuum conditions (e.g. in the scanning electron microscopy with energy X-ray detection combined with micro-Raman spectroscopyinterfaced SEM-EDX/MRS) are more complex and less well comprehended. The physical and chemical processes that affect the damage caused to small particles by lasers still remain somewhat unclear, but certainly the atmosphere (vacuum/air) and the beam intensity have very significant influences. Furthermore, it has been determined that some particles (e.g. haematite), although stable under an electron beam, are damaged by the laser beam, hampering their analysis. Additionally, when simultaneous analyses by SEM/EDX and MRS are considered, the correct choice of the collection surface plays a crucial role. As a result, the following collection substrates were tested to determine their influence on the laser beam damage process to the particle: silver and aluminium foils and silicon wafers. A test study was performed using artificial examples of haematite (Fe2O3) particles. Exposure of Fe2O3 particles in vacuum to 514- and 785-nm laser radiation often leads to their melting, transformation and evaporation. The dependence of the damage caused by the laser beam on the particle structure is reported here. Molecular and crystallographic changes have also been revealed. Formation of magnetite (as an effect of re-crystallisation) and Raman inactive structures was detected.

Abstract: The advances in the characterization of amorphous carbons by Raman spectroscopy over the last four decades are of interest to many industries, especially those involving the combustion, gasification and pyrolysis of coal. Many researchers report on the Raman character of the natural organic matter in carbon-containing compounds, such as coal, and relate the Raman bands to the structural order of the amorphous carbons. The basis of most of these studies evolved around the assignment of the G (graphitic, ∼1580 cm−1) band to crystalline graphite and any other bands, called D bands, (disorder, various from 1100 to 1500 cm−1) to any type of structural disorder in the graphitic structure. Concerning coal analysis, the information gained by Raman investigations has been used to describe char evolution as a function of temperature, the presence of catalysts and different gasification conditions. In addition, researchers looked at maturation, grade, doppleritization and many more aspects of interest. One aspect that has, however, not been addressed by most of the researchers is the natural inorganic matter (NIM) in the carbon-containing compounds. Micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS) has many advantages over other characterization tools, i.e. in situ analysis, nondestructive, no sample preparation, low detection limit, micrometer-scale characterization, versatility and sensitivity to many amorphous compounds. With the distinct advantages it has over that of other molecular characterization tools, such as powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray detection (SEM/EDS), it is surprising that it has not yet been fully exploited up to this point for the characterization of the NIM in coal and other amorphous carbons. This paper reviews the work published on the Raman characterization of the natural organic matter (NOM) of coals and reports on preliminary results of the NIM character of various South African coals, whereby various inorganic compounds and minerals in the coal have been characterized.

Abstract: As swipe samples from enrichment activities typically contain uranium particles with a detectable amount of fluorine, the question was raised whether the analysis of fluorine in particles could complement the information on the uranium isotope ratios. For this, uranium oxyfluoride particles were prepared from the controlled hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride (UF6). The relative amount of fluorine was characterized by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), as well as ion-microprobe secondary ion mass spectrometry (IM-SIMS). Of particular interest was the assessment of the reduction of the amount of fluorine over time, and after exposure to UV-light and high temperatures. Micro-Raman spectrometry (MRS) was applied to look for differences in molecular structure between these various sample types. Both SEM-EDX and IM-SIMS showed a general reduction of the fluorine-to-uranium ratio after 12 years of storage. The exposure to UV-light and high temperatures was found to have accelerated the loss of fluorine. A distinct peak at 865 cm− 1 Raman shift was detected for the majority of particles analyzed by MRS. For the particles that were heat-treated, the Raman spectra were similar to the spectrum of U3O8. Although often large variations were observed between particles from the same sample, the three particle measurement techniques (IM-SIMS, SEM-EDX and MRS) showed some consistent trends. They therefore appear promising in terms of the ability to place bounds on particle age, as well as shedding light on the complex processes involved in UO2F2 particle ageing.