EDS for studying air pollution on biological samples

Particles of air pollution can be hazardous to health and affect a variety of organisms in different ways. It is important to be able to localise and identify the composition of particles, whether they are present on the surface of leaves or deeper within tissue. 

• Rapid analysis of air particle on leaves is possible with minimal sample preparation and quick analysis
• Holly leaves were air dried (to avoid washing off the particles), mounted onto an SEM stub using a carbon tab and silver paint, and coated with carbon
• AZteclive was used for real-time imaging of the sample, enabling rapid analysis over larger regions of the sample
• More detailed mapping was then used on specific regions of interest using the Ultim Extreme detector at low kVs, which helped with reducing beam damage on the relatively fragile sample
• Spot analyses of specific air pollution particles highlighted on EDS maps provide a more detailed break down of particle composition