The use of SEM/EDX for studying the distribution of air pollutants in the surroundings of the emission source

A new application of SEM/EDX-methods to study the distribution of air pollutants in the surroundings of an emission source is described. An energy dispersive X-ray microanalyzer (EDX) connected to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to measure the amount of several elements on the surface of Scots pine bark. To test this method, bark samples were collected near a limestone quarry and plant. The results indicated that the pollutant gradient in the surroundings of the emssion source was clearest, when this new method was used. The coefficient of determination (R2) for calcium on pine bark was as high as 0.99, whereas in the same study line, measurements of total Ca content of pine needles and soil humus yielded R2 values of 0.46 and 0.74, respectively.