Contribution of EPMA to airborne pollen analysis

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2012

Authors

Guimaraes, F (Author) Other; Duque, L (Author) Other; Ribeiro, H (Author) FCUP; Sousa, R (Author) Other; Abreu, I (Author) FCUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: EMAS 2011: 12TH EUROPEAN WORKSHOP ON MODERN DEVELOPMENTS IN MICROBEAM ANALYSIS

12th Workshop of the European-Microbeam-Analysis-Society (EMAS) on Modern Developments and Applications in Microbeam Analysis

Angers, FRANCE, MAY 15-19, 2011

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 7 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-G7A

DOI: 10.1088/1757-899x/32/1/012009

Abstract (EN): As a component of aerosol, pollen is found in suspension with other mineralogical and anthropogenic particles that can adhere to the pollen wall. The aim of this study was to determine possible alterations that pollen grains suffer under different meteorological conditions in the coastal city of Porto, Portugal. For this study, 2 airborne pollen types were taken into account: Poaceae and Alnus spp sampled in July 2010 and February 2011, respectively. Quantitative analysis and X-ray map analysis were performed with a field emission electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) equipped with 5 WDS spectrometers. Samples were mounted over adhesive carbon tape and carbon coated. Control pollen showed mainly the presence of C, O, N, P, K, Mg, S, Cl and Ca in different quantities, depending on the considered species. Airborne pollen consistently revealed a higher content of Mg and Cl than control pollen, while Si, Ca, K and P contents varied differently according to the samples. Our results show that during their "flight", pollen grains acquire an external coating, become heavier and change significantly their composition.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7