Aerosol analysis by soft X-ray spectromicroscopy near carbon absorption edge

A research group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA, has recently published an interesting report on an automated data analysis method for submicrometer atmospheric particles containing organic and inorganic material. The main idea is the use of X-ray spectral features in the energy range from 278 to 320 eV, which is near the carbon K-edge and potassium LII and LIII edges. The method provides quantitative mapping of the spatial distribution of elemental carbon, organic carbon, potassium, and noncarbonaceous elements in particles of mixed composition. It was recently applied to analyze differences in over 1000 particles collected at various times and locations in Mexico City to examine the effects of atmospheric aging on internally mixed atmospheric aerosol particles. For more information, see the paper, "Automated Chemical Analysis of Internally Mixed Aerosol Particles Using X-ray Spectromicroscopy at the Carbon K-Edge", R. C. Moffet et al., Anal. Chem. 82, 7906 (2010).