Self-modeling mixture analysis of Raman microspectrometric investigations of dust emitted by lead and zinc smelters

The application of SIMPLe-to-use Interactive Self-modeling Mixture Analysis (SIMPLISMA) is reported for analysis of huge Raman image data of dust samples collected in the vicinity of lead and zinc smelters. The Raman data were carried out using Raman microprobe and automated mapping stage at 1 mum step size over at most 80 mum x 70 mum sample area for each experiment. Numerous significant pure spectra were extracted by the SIMPLISMA method. Results provide the number of major as well as minor chemical species. Concentration maps of the resolved components demonstrate the heterogeneity of individual particles at level of 1 mum spatial resolution. A discussion is given addressing the analysis aspects of SIMPLISMA and the relative merits and drawbacks of the technique in comparison with conventional analysis from two real Raman image data. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.