A method for the identification of Asian dust-storm particles mixed internally with sea salt

Abstract

A method for the identification of Asian dust-storm particles mixed internally with sea salt was developed on the basis of electron microscopic analysis by using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry and dialysis (extraction) of water-soluble material. The method was applied to samples collected in Nagasaki (Japan) and Beijing (China) during the spring of 1991. Dust particles containing Na and Cl or with Na/Si weight ratios larger than 0.25 (even if Cl was not detected) were identified to be Asian dust-storm particles mixed internally with sea salt.