Basic concepts. Sampling
Aerosol analysis using the PIXE method

Suppose we want to design an aerosol research study. Suppose, for example, that the aim is to find out which chemical elements are present in respirable aerosol particles of different sizes (which can reach different parts of the respiratory tract) and how the concentrations of these particles depend on meteorological conditions.

We need to select one (or more) sites for sampling and decide how and when we will collect the aerosol samples. The aim is to obtain a sufficient quantity of samples that are representative of the chosen site under typical meteorological conditions. We also need to select an appropriate technique to analyze all the samples and obtain as many analytical results as possible in a reasonable time. In addition, we need to collect other data during sampling (such as wind speed and direction, humidity, temperature, traffic intensity, etc.), and...