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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 March 2019
Specimen standards have been prepared for elemental quantitative analysis of atmospheric aerosols by means of x-ray spectrometry. Efforts were made so that the standards were similar to the samples actually collected in the atmosphere. Soluable salts were placed in a completely enclosed, self-contained bubbler system so as to ensure uniform rate of flow through the filters on which elements were collected. The standards were deposited for various time intervals in the bubbler system and then weighed on a microbalance. Aerodynamic flow ensured that the specimens were uniformly distributed throughout the filter. Very satisfactory calibration curves were constructed of intensity versus mass of element. For low concentrations of the soluable salts and relatively small amounts of total material collected straight line relationships can be obtained for calibration curves. These amounts are mostly well within those actually collected in the field. The problem of impurity levels in collection filters which can far exceed the levels detected in the aerosols has been given careful consideration in the selection of filters used. Absorption-enhancement effects appear to be unimportant at the low concentration levels delt with. Interference problems with lead, arsenic, and bromine are discussed and appropriate calibration curves shown. A set of atmospheric specimens are analysed for several elements placing atmospheric aerosol analysis on a quantitative basis.