Experimental evaluation of the in-the-field capabilities of total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis to trace fine and ultrafine aerosol particles in populated areas

European countries have made progress in reducing particulate air pollution in recent decades being concerned about their heath and climate effect. In addition to determining particulate number size distributions, it is crucial to have a methodology to determine size distribution of elemental concentrations down to the ultrafine size fraction. The present study shows capabilities for combination of May-type cascade impactor sampling and laboratory total-reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis on ambient aerosol samples taken in urban areas of Budapest (Hungary) and Cassino (Italy). In addition, results for a sample collected in Budapest during the fireworks provided for the Hungarian National Day are discussed. The combined novel method is suitable for determining size distributions for major and trace elemental concentrations form ultrafine to coarse particles (70 nm up to 10 μm) in seven size fractions. Moreover, short sampling times (1–4 h) are sufficient for reaching detection limits in the range of 100 pg/m3 for transition metals. The size and time resolution were found to be optimal for identifying pollution episodes with elevated elemental concentrations. The in-the-field analytical applicability of the proposed method for major and trace elements is demonstrated by comparison to elemental size distributions resulted from destructive analytical techniques.