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Appendix D: Characteristics of filter types used for particle sampling and chemical analyses (Chow, 1995)

Filter type	Filter sizes (mm)	Characteristics		Analyses methods*
		Chemical	Physical
Ringed Teflon membrane	25 37 47	Low blank levels Low blank weight Low hygroscopic tendency Inert to gas absorption	Thin membrane High particle collection efficiency High flow resistance Melts at ~60°C Cannot be accurately sectioned Multiple pore sizes available	Gravimetry, XRF, PIXE, NAA, AAS, ICP/AES, ICP-MS, IC
Teflon membrane-polypropylene backed	47	Low blank levels High blank weight Inert to gas absorption High background levels for PIXE and XRF Low hygroscopic tendency	Thin membrane High particle collection efficiency Melts at ~60°C High flow resistance	Gravimetry, PIXE, XRF, NAA, AAS, ICP/AES, ICP-MS, IC
Nylon membrane	25 37 47	Low blank weight Low hygroscopic tendency High HNO3 collection efficiency	Thin pure nylon membrane High flow resistance Melts at ~60°C	IC
Silver membrane	25 37	Resistant to chemical attack Passive adsorption of organic vapours High blank weight Low hygroscopic tendency	Thin membrane High flow resistance Melts at ~350°C	Gravimetry
Cellulose esters membrane (cellulose nitrate mixed esters and cellulose acetate	37 47	Dissolved by several organic solvents Negligible ash content Hygroscopic Low blank weight	Thin membrane Multiple pore size available High flow resistance Melts at ~70°C	Gravimetry, SEM, TEM
Poly-carbonate membrane	47	Low blank levels Low blank weight Low hygroscopic tendency	Smooth, thin surface with straight capillary holes Multiple pore sizes available Used for particle size classification Low particle collection efficiency for some pore sizes Retains static charge Moderate flow resistance Melts at ~60°C	Gravimetry, XRF, PIXE and SEM
Pure quartz filter	25 37 47 203 x 254	Contains large variable quantities of Al and Si Low blank levels for ions Passive absorption of organic vapours Little absorption of HNO3 Low hygroscopic tendency	Edges of filter flake in holders High particle collection efficiency Moderate flow resistance Melts at > 900°C	ICP/AES, ICP-MS, IC
Mixed quartz filter (quartz filters with 5% borosilicate content)	203 x 254	Contains large and variable quantities of Na, Al and Si plus variable levels of other metals Passive adsorption of organic vapours Little adsorption of HNO3 High blank weight Low hygroscopic tendency	High particle collection efficiency Low flow resistance Becomes brittle on heating Can melt at ~500°C	Gravimetry, XRF, PIXE, AAS, ICP/AES, ICP-MS, IC
Teflon-coated glass fibre (borosilicate glass fibre mat with surface layer of Teflon)	37 47	Inert to absorption of HNO3 Low blank levels for ions High blank weight Low hygroscopic tendency	Low flow resistance High particle collection efficiency Melts at ~60°C	Gravimetry, IC
Glass fibre (borosilicate glass fibre)	203 x 254	Adsorbs HNO3 and organic vapours High blank levels High blank weight Low hygroscopic tendency	Low flow resistance High particle collection efficiency Melts at ~500°C	Gravimetry, XRF, PIXE, NAA, AAS, ICP/AES, IC
Cellulose fibre (paper filter)	25 37 47	Low blank levels (high purity) High blank weight Hygroscopic Adsorbs gases, particularly water vapour	High mechanical strength Low particle collection efficiency Variable flow resistance Burns at ~150°C	Gravimetry, XRF, PIXE, NAA, AAS, ICP/AES, ICP-MS, IC

Note:* Abbreviations are explained in the Glossary of Terms at the beginning of report

Source: Chow, 1995

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