A comprehensive and suitable method for determining major ions from atmospheric particulate matter matrices.

The present study proposes an analytical methodology that employs ion chromatography-conductivity detection for simultaneous quantification of inorganic (F(-), Cl(-), NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-), and PO(3)(-)), monocarboxylate (HCOO(-), CH(3)COO(-), propionate, n-butyrate, lactate, and pyruvate), dicarboxylate (oxalate and succinate), and tricarboxylate anions (citrate), as well as crustal cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), NH(4)(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+)) at low pgm(-3) range in airborne particle samples in one single run. The optimized conditions for anions were as follows: 0.6 mmol L(-1) KOH for 0-14 min, 0.6-15 mmol L(-1) KOH 14-20 min, 15-38 mmol L(-1) KOH during 20-32 min and finally returned to 0.6 mmol L(-1) for a period of 3 min, thereafter the eluent flow rate was 0.38 mL min(-1). Similarly, for cations, isocratic elution was adjusted to 0.36 mL min(-1) at 17.5 mmol L(-1) H(2)SO(4). LOD ranged 3.0-130 pgm(-3) and LOQ was within 10-400 pgm(-3) (Li(+) and PO(4)(3-), respectively) as well as recoveries ranged 89% (Ca(2+)) to 120% (Li(+)). Major ions were successfully determined in real PM1 and PM2.5 samples. The method used here was found to be a comprehensive, simple, cheap and reliable procedure for studying ions in particulate matter (PM) samples even those from remote areas or near ecosystem natural conditions.