APPLICATION OF X-RAY-ANALYSIS TO THE STUDY OF AIR PARTICLE POLLUTION IN NORTHERN ITALY

In the framework of a large research programme on air quality in north ern Italy managed by the Institute of General and Applied Physics (IFG A), an extensive investigation of air particle pollution was performed . Aerosol sampling campaigns were carried out in areas of different ty pology in the Po Valley with the aim of determining concentration and composition trends in space and time and also the main sources of poll ution. High concentrations of particulate matter were generally measur ed; the main components mere elements of crustal origin and sulphur co mpounds. The use of analytical techniques based on the spectroscopy of characteristic x-rays such as EDXRF and PIXE was of great advantage a nd particularly well suited for the fast and easy determination of maj or, minor and trace elements in particulate matter. (C) 1998 by John W iley & Sons, Ltd.