Particle NH4+ and gaseous are collected simultaneously by filters impregnated with acid. When ascorbic acid is used, it is easily oxidized in alkaline medium. The resulting solution is dark, making impossible colorimetric measurement. Here we present a new procedure to extract ammonium ion from sampling filters, transferring the N (III) to a droplet of sulfuric acid, 0.1 mol L-1. After sampler collection, each filter is agitated with deionized water. The aqueous solution is transferred to a small chamber where NaOH (1.5 mol L-1 ) is added and nitrogen gas passed. The ammonia changes to the gas phase and is flushed form the aqueous solution. The droplet of sulfuric acid formed at the tip of the glass tube then collects ammonia free of interference. The droplet was analyzed by the indophenol colorimetric technique. Evaluations showed that this procedure could be used at low concentrations and it has the advantage of making a second preconcentration of N (III) , improving the detection limit of the method.
ammonia determination; preconcentration; air analysis; colorimetry
