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Chiari M, Barone S, Bombini A, Calzolai G, Carraresi L, Castelli L, Czelusniak C, Fedi ME, Gelli N, Giambi F, Giardi F, Giuntini L, Lagomarsino S, Liccioli L, Lucarelli F, Manetti M, Massi M, Mazzinghi A, Nava S, Ottanelli P, Sciortino S, Ruberto C, Sodi L, Taccetti F, Mandò PA. LABEC, the INFN ion beam laboratory of nuclear techniques for environment and cultural heritage. EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS 2021; 136:472. [PMID: 33968561 PMCID: PMC8086225 DOI: 10.1140/epjp/s13360-021-01411-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The LABEC laboratory, the INFN ion beam laboratory of nuclear techniques for environment and cultural heritage, located in the Scientific and Technological Campus of the University of Florence in Sesto Fiorentino, started its operational activities in 2004, after INFN decided in 2001 to provide our applied nuclear physics group with a large laboratory dedicated to applications of accelerator-related analytical techniques, based on a new 3 MV Tandetron accelerator. The new accelerator greatly improved the performance of existing Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) applications (for which we were using since the 1980s an old single-ended Van de Graaff accelerator) and in addition allowed to start a novel activity of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), in particular for 14C dating. Switching between IBA and AMS operation became very easy and fast, which allowed us high flexibility in programming the activities, mainly focused on studies of cultural heritage and atmospheric aerosol composition, but including also applications to biology, geology, material science and forensics, ion implantation, tests of radiation damage to components, detector performance tests and low-energy nuclear physics. This paper describes the facilities presently available in the LABEC laboratory, their technical features and some success stories of recent applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Chiari
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S. Barone
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - A. Bombini
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - G. Calzolai
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Carraresi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Castelli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - C. Czelusniak
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M. E. Fedi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - N. Gelli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - F. Giambi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - F. Giardi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Giuntini
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S. Lagomarsino
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Liccioli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - F. Lucarelli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M. Manetti
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M. Massi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - A. Mazzinghi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S. Nava
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - P. Ottanelli
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - S. Sciortino
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - C. Ruberto
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - L. Sodi
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - F. Taccetti
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - P. A. Mandò
- INFN Division of Florence and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Galvão ES, Santos JM, Lima AT, Reis NC, Orlando MTD, Stuetz RM. Trends in analytical techniques applied to particulate matter characterization: A critical review of fundaments and applications. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 199:546-568. [PMID: 29455125 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown the association of airborne particulate matter (PM) size and chemical composition with health problems affecting the cardiorespiratory and central nervous systems. PM also act as cloud condensation nuclei (CNN) or ice nuclei (IN), taking part in the clouds formation process, and therefore can impact the climate. There are several works using different analytical techniques in PM chemical and physical characterization to supply information to source apportionment models that help environmental agencies to assess damages accountability. Despite the numerous analytical techniques described in the literature available for PM characterization, laboratories are normally limited to the in-house available techniques, which raises the question if a given technique is suitable for the purpose of a specific experimental work. The aim of this work consists of summarizing the main available technologies for PM characterization, serving as a guide for readers to find the most appropriate technique(s) for their investigation. Elemental analysis techniques like atomic spectrometry based and X-ray based techniques, organic and carbonaceous techniques and surface analysis techniques are discussed, illustrating their main features as well as their advantages and drawbacks. We also discuss the trends in analytical techniques used over the last two decades. The choice among all techniques is a function of a number of parameters such as: the relevant particles physical properties, sampling and measuring time, access to available facilities and the costs associated to equipment acquisition, among other considerations. An analytical guide map is presented as a guideline for choosing the most appropriated technique for a given analytical information required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elson Silva Galvão
- Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | - Jane Meri Santos
- Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Ana Teresa Lima
- Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Neyval Costa Reis
- Departamento de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | | | - Richard Michael Stuetz
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Offor IF, Adie GU, Ana GREE. Review of Particulate Matter and Elemental Composition of Aerosols at Selected Locations in Nigeria from 1985-2015. J Health Pollut 2016; 6:1-18. [PMID: 30524781 PMCID: PMC6236551 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-6-10.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the past 30 years, various studies in Nigeria have monitored atmospheric particulate matter loads and elemental composition of ambient air around diverse receptor sites. OBJECTIVES A comparative discussion of the different sampling techniques, pre-treatment and analytical methods employed between 1985 and 2015. METHODS Air pollution indices from studies covered in this review were compared to relevant guideline standards such as the World Health Organization (WHO) 24-hr guideline and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)'s National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) daily permissible limits for fine particles of less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) and coarse dust particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers (PM10) in ambient air. In addition, the sources of data for the average concentrations for PM2.5, PM10 and related metallic elements during 1985-2015 were assessed. Attempts were also made to compare varied particulate matter loads of atmospheric micro-environments in Nigeria with comparable micro-environments in selected cities around the world. DISCUSSION Results showed that PM2.5 concentration ranged from 5-248 μg/m3, while PM10 concentration ranged from 18-926 μg/m3, revealing that about 50% of the particulate matter loads in Nigeria exceeded both the WHO (25 μg/m3, 50 μg/m3) and NAAQS (35 μg/m3, 150 μg/m3) guideline limits for PM2.5 and PM10 respectively. PM2.5/PM10 ratios for the selected studies fall below the WHO guideline (0.5-0.8), suggesting that Nigerian aerosols are mainly made up of coarse, rather than fine particles. In addition, the order of the average highest concentrations of metallic elements for PM2.5 were magnesium (Mg) > strontium (Sr) > potassium (K) > zinc (Zn) > iron (Fe) > sodium (Na) > aluminium (Al) > chlorine (Cl) > lead (Pb) > silicon (Si), while those of PM10 were Sr > Zn > Fe > Mg > calcium (Ca) >Na > Pb > manganese (Mn) > K > Al. CONCLUSIONS Seasonal variation of particulate matter loads revealed higher concentrations during the dry season than during the rainy season. In addition, particulate matter loads in rural areas were generally lower than in urban areas. Wind-blown dust from the Sahara Desert is the major contributor to particulate matter loads in northern zones of the country, while sea spray and crustal matter are the highest contributors to particulate matter loads in southern zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifeanyi F. Offor
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria
| | - Gilbert U. Adie
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Godson REE Ana
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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