Yes. Scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) provides both morphological and elemental composition data on individual particles collected on the filter, allowing the identification and estimated proportion of the common particle types to be determined. Carbon ash, aciniform soot, and aluminosilicate fly ash spheres are all common components of combustion sources. In some cases non-combustion sources are important. We have found sulfate crystals arising from emission control equipment, rust and other corrosion products, and fragments of degrading catalyst beds as significant contributors to the mass loading in stack samples.
