Leaching of Nutrients and Trace Metals from Aerosol Samples; A Comparison Between A Re-Circulation and an Ultrasound System

Abstract As part of a project investigating the air-water exchange of nutrients and inorganic micropollutants to the North Sea, the atmospheric deposition of nutrients and trace metals in their different compositions and via various pathways was investigated. Intensive sampling campaigns were organised on the research vessel Belgica (ns 21/98 campaign from September 28 to October 1, 1998 and ns 10/99 campaign from April 19 to 23, 1999), at a sampling station near the Belgian coast (Knokke-Heist) and at the University campus of Antwerp. Simulation work and remobilisation experiments were carried out to obtain a general view of the kinetics of solubilisation of the constituents under investigation. Sample treatment requires a leaching system with a quantitative recovery of the species of interest in the leaching solution within a reasonably short period of time (30 min). For this reason, a re-circulation leaching system was developed, tested, optimised and compared with a more accepted ultrasound leaching m...