Assessment of water and ion content in particulate matter: Comparison of two methods for determining particulate mass on a filter
Filter sub-sampling is essential in air quality research for analyzing PM components such as carbon, ions, metals, PAHs, and water. However, the absence of standardized guidelines for sub-sampling introduces measurement uncertainty that is seldom quantified. This study compares two filter sampling m...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Desalination and Water Treatment |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1944398625000347 |
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| Summary: | Filter sub-sampling is essential in air quality research for analyzing PM components such as carbon, ions, metals, PAHs, and water. However, the absence of standardized guidelines for sub-sampling introduces measurement uncertainty that is seldom quantified. This study compares two filter sampling methods to assess PM mass, PM-bound water, and ion content. The first method was computational, estimating PM-bound water and ions in filter subsections (each representing 1/10 of the filter area) and relating these values to the total PM mass on the entire filter. The second method involved direct gravimetric analysis, weighing successive filter subsections (each covering 1/10 of the total area) to quantify solid particles, water, and ions. Six Whatman™ quartz filters (Ø15 cm) exposed to PM1 and PM2.5 fractions were analyzed. The comparative analysis revealed discrepancies in estimated water and ion content between the two methods, highlighting the critical need for sub-sample representativeness and precision. The computational method reduced potential mass loss, while the gravimetric method provided insights into PM mass distribution across the filter’s inhomogeneous surface. These findings enhance sub-sampling techniques, contributing to air quality monitoring and research aimed at improving public health and mitigating the impacts of particulate pollution. |
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| ISSN: | 1944-3986 |