Direct Analysis of Aerosol Particles by Atomic Emission and Mass Spectrometry

A method for the direct determination of elemental content in each of aerosol particles by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission (ICP-AES) or mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is described. This method is based upon the introduction of diluted aerosol into an ICP and the measurement of either the flash emission intensities of an atomic spectral line or ion intensities. A pulse-height analyzer is used for the measurement of the distribution of the elemental content. In order to calibrate the measuring system, monodisperse aerosols are used. The potentials of the method are shown by demonstrating the copper emission signals from the aerosols generated at a small electric switch, a study of the relation between the decreasing rate of particle number density and particle size, and measurements of calcium contents in the individual biological cells.