Iodine speciation in size fractionated atmospheric particles by isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Abstract

An isotope dilution mass spectrometric method has been developed for the accurate and sensitive determination of iodide and iodate in aerosol particles of the atmosphere. The direct iodine speciation has been possible by the use of species specifically ¹²⁹I enriched spike solutions and separation of the isotope diluted species by anion exchange chromatography after water extraction of the filters. Size fractionated collection of aerosol particles by a six stage impactor system shows different distributions of iodide and iodate for particles of different size with specific patterns for anthropogenically influenced continental and unpolluted marine aerosols, respectively. The detection limit for particulate iodide and iodate has been (3–5) pg/m³ for sampling volumes of 3000 m³. Oil, used for heating plants, could be identified as one but not the only anthropogenic iodine source.