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Application of EPMA and XRF for the investigation of particulate pollutants in the field of cultural heritage

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Abstract.

For an integrated assessment of airborne pollutants, their concentrations and their sources have to be investigated along with possible ways of deterioration of the objects of art. The chemical composition and size characterization of atmospheric particulate pollutants is possible by computer-controlled electron probe microanalysis (CC-EPMA) at the single particle level, and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) for bulk analysis. We report on the chemical composition of airborne particulate matter sampled at various European churches and museums.

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Correspondence to Velichka Kontozova-Deutsch.

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Correspondence: Velichka Kontozova-Deutsch, Micro and Trace Analysis Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium

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Kontozova-Deutsch, V., Deutsch, F., Godoi, R. et al. Application of EPMA and XRF for the investigation of particulate pollutants in the field of cultural heritage. Microchim Acta 161, 465–469 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-007-0917-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-007-0917-6

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