A PIXE system for air pollution studies in South America

As an outgrowth of the PIXE-SP Project an experimental set-up for particle-induced X-ray emission analysis will soon be available at Sao Paulo. The irradiation chamber, nearly completed, will provide sequential measurements of several (up to 70) sample targets. The major focus of the Project will be on the investigation of atmospheric aerosols using this set-up. Preliminary results on urban Sao Paulo aerosol characteristics are given for the first time both as an illustration of the analytical potential of the PIXE method and as an example of aerosol data analysis. Samples collected in Sao Paulo were subjected to PIXE analysis at Tallahassee, using the Florida State University facilities. The results for S, Pb and Br are presented. (Auth.)