Seasonal trend of particulate PAHs at Gosan, a background site in Korea between 2001 and 2002 and major factors affecting their levels

The concentrations of particulate Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured at Gosan, a background site in Korea for 1 year between November 2001 and November 2002. The total concentrations of 14 PAH compounds at Gosan were between 0.52 and 14.76 ng m^− 3 and about 3–15 times higher than those at other rural or remote sites in the world. Seasonal trend was observed for particulate PAHs concentrations at Gosan with higher levels during heating season due to increased fossil fuel usage and the movement of air parcels from Asian continent. Principal component factor analysis (PCF) for PAHs showed three factors; combination of coal combustion and vehicular emission, natural gas combustion, and unidentified one. However, PCF for the combined data of PAHs, inorganic ions, and elements revealed that the unidentified factor consists of crustal species, sea salts, and four PAH compounds. Thus, this factor is thought to be transport of crustal species with organics from combustion sources. The major variables which determine the sources of PAHs are the heating season and the movement of air parcels from Asian continent.     

Methanesulfonic acid and non-sea-salt sulfate in pacific air: Regional and seasonal variations

Concentrations of aerosol methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and non-sea-salt (nss) sulfate were measured at six island stations in the Pacific Ocean to investigate regional and seasonal patterns of organosulfur emissions and the origin of nss sulfate over the Pacific. The mean MSA concentrations, in g/m³, at the stations were: Shemya, 0.097±0.098; Midway, 0.029±0.021; Fanning, 0.044±0.012; American Samoa, 0.026±0.012; New Caledonia, 0.021±0.009; Norfolk, 0.024±0.019. The extremely high MSA levels found at Shemya indicate a major source of organosulfur emissions in the western North Pacific. Significant seasonal trends in MSA were observed, with higher MSA occurring during warm months. The amplitude of the seasonal variation was greatest at higher latitude stations. At Fanning and American Samoa, which have minimal input of continental material, there is a significant positive correlation between MSA and nss sulfate. MSA/nss sulfate ratios at other Pacific stations exhibit greater variability, which may be related to variations in: the input of continentally derived sulfate, the composition of oceanic organosulfur emissions, and atmospheric reaction pathways.     

Seasonal variation of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with PM10 in Guangzhou, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants in the urban atmosphere. An investigation on seasonal variation of PAHs in the urban atmosphere of Guangzhou, China was conducted in this study. 112 PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm) samples were collected at two sites between June 2002 and June 2003. PAHs were analyzed with GC–MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry). The result showed that PAHs exhibit distinct seasonal variation. The seasonal concentration for the ∑PAHs ranged from 8.11 to 106.26 ng m^− 3. The average ∑PAHs measured were highest in winter and lowest in summer. The PAHs distribution patterns were similar within each season at two sites. 5–6 ring PAHs were the abundant compounds, which accounted for 65–90% of ∑PAHs and benzo [b + k] fluoranthene dominated in four seasons. The PAHs concentration and distribution pattern fluctuated greatly in winter for the cold air current. Based on the different temperature in winter, the samples were split into two groups. PM10 and the abundance of the PAHs in winter-1 (temperature, 12–22 °C) were much greater than in winter-2 (temperature, 8–12 °C). In winter-1 benzo [b + k] fluoranthene and Indeno [1, 2, 3] pyrene dominated while chrysene and benzo [b + k] fluoranthene dominated in winter-2. Meteorological conditions such as wind speed and temperature had a strong influence on the seasonal variation. Potential sources of PAHs were identified using the molecular diagnostic ratios between PAHs. Results showed fossil fuel combustion may be the major source of PAHs at the two sites.     

Atmospheric concentrations of PAHs, their possible sources and gas-to-particle partitioning at a residential site of Bursa, Turkey

Atmospheric PAH concentrations were determined in Gulbahce district of Bursa, Turkey between August 2004 and April 2005. Measured PAH concentrations were classified as heating and non-heating season samples. The concentrations of total PAHs in heating season were almost ten times higher than those in non-heating season. Diagnostic ratios and factor analysis results show that in the heating season traffic along with residential heating emissions heavily influence PAH concentrations. The plot of logK_p versus logP_L⁰ for all the data set of heating and non-heating season samples gave significantly different slopes. The slope for the heating season samples (− 0.92) was steeper than the one for the non-heating season samples (− 0.78). The partitioning results for individual samples further indicated that slope values varied depending on air parcel trajectories. Air parcels traveled over water (either over the Black Sea or Aegean Sea) prior to arriving at the sampling site had less steep slopes. Partitioning of PAHs was also investigated by comparing experimentally determined K_p values with the results obtained both from octanol-based model (K_p(Oct.)) and soot and octanol-based model (K_p (Soot + Oct.)). Both models were useful in predicting the experimental K_p values. However, they did not explain the observed variability in the experimental K_p values.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their molecular diagnostic ratios in urban atmospheric respirable particulate matter

Atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Santiago de Chile city were evaluated to study particulate PAHs profiles during cold and spring weather periods. Urban atmospheric particulate matter PM10 was collected using High Volume PM10 samplers. Fifteen samples of 24 h during austral winter and 20 samples of 24 h during spring, 2000 were collected at two sampling sites (North–East and Central areas of the city) whose characteristics were representative of the prevailing conditions. Seventeen PAHs were quantified and total PAHs concentration ranged from 1.39 to 59.98 ng m⁻³, with a seasonal variation (winter vs. spring ratio) from 0.5 to 12.6 ng m⁻³. Molecular diagnostic ratios were used to characterize and identify PAHs emission sources such as combustion and biogenic emissions. Results showed that the major sources of respirable organic aerosol PM10 in Santiago are mobile and stationary ones.     

Emissions of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by savanna fires

Although Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are known as anthropogenic compounds arising from the combustion or the pyrolysis of fossil fuels, they may be also emitted by the combustion of vegetation. A field study was carried out in January 1991 at Lamto (Ivory Coast) as part of the FOS DECAFE experiment (Fire Of Savanna). Some ground samplings were devoted to the qualitative and quantitative characterization of atmospheric emissions by savanna fires during prescribed burns and under background conditions. Specific collections for gaseous and particulate PAHs have shown that the African practice of burning the savanna biomass during the winter months is an important source of PAHs. These compounds are emitted mainly in gaseous form but a significant fraction, essentially heavy PAHs, is associated with fine carbonaceous particles and can therefore represent a hazard for human health, since some of these compounds are mutagenic and carcinogenic. Twelve compounds were identified during the fire episodes and in the atmospheric background. The total concentration in the fires is of the order of 10 ng m^–3 for the gas phase and from 0.1 to 1 ng m^–3 in the aerosols. In the atmospheric background the mean concentrations are regular, 0.15 ng m^–3 and 2 pg m^–3, respectively. These concentrations are comparable with what is observed in European rural zones. The particulate emissions of PAHs by the savanna fires are distinguished by the abundance of some compounds which can be considered as tracers, although they are also slightly emitted by fossil fuel sources. These compounds are essentially pyrene, chrysene and coronene. In the gas phase, although no individual PAH may be considered as specific of the biomass combustion emissions, the relative abundances of the main PAHs are characteristic of the biomass burning. The concentrations of pyrene and fluorene are always predominant; these compounds could be considered as characteristic emission products of smoldering and flaming episodes, respectively. In the background the PAH composition shows that in a tropical region the air consists of a mixture coming from the various sources, but the biomass combustion is by far the most important source.The fluxes of total PAH emitted by savanna biomass burning in Africa were estimated to be of the order of 17 and 600 ton yr^–1, respectively, for the particulate PAHs and the gaseous PAHs, respectively.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with atmospheric particles in Higashi Hiroshima, Japan: Influence of meteorological conditions and seasonal variations

This work studied the influence of meteorological conditions on particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere of Higashi Hiroshima, Japan. The seasonal variation of particulate PAHs was also covered. It was found that ambient temperature, solar intensity and weekly rainfall had significant influence on the particulate PAH concentration based on correlation studies. Correlation of particulate PAHs with ambient temperature, solar intensity, weekly rainfall, wind speed and humidity was studied by using Pearson correlation analysis. Particulate PAHs had a strong negative correlation with ambient temperature and solar intensity. A moderate negative correlation with weekly rainfall was also observed. There was no significant correlation between particulate PAHs with wind speed as well as humidity. Besides, particulate PAHs were found to have significant positive correlation with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide while having a moderate negative correlation with ozone. The particulate PAHs in Higashi Hiroshima exerted distinct seasonal variation with a higher concentration in winter and lower concentration in summer. When compared among PAHs with different numbers of aromatic rings; 5-ring PAHs was found to exert the most distinct seasonal variation. The contribution of carcinogenic PAHs to total particulate PAH concentration was fairly constant at about 50% throughout the year.     

Chemical composition of rain water and influence of airmass trajectories at a rural site in an ecological sensitive area of Western Ghats (India)

Samples of rain water were collected during monsoon season (June to September) of 2006 and 2007 at Hudegadde, a rural site located in an ecological sensitive area of Western Ghats. The collected samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity and major ions. At this site, rainwater pH varied from 4.20 to 7.39 with 5.65 as volume weighed mean. The observed mean was slightly lower than the average pH reported at most of the Indian continental sites. Monthly variation showed that average pH of rain water was the lowest during September (end of monsoon) and the highest during July (peak of monsoon). Overall, marine sources had dominating influence at this site. However, significant influence of anthropogenic and crustal sources from local as well as inter-continental regions was also noticed. As compared to NO₃⁻, higher concentration of SO₄²⁻ was noticed which might be due to contribution from industrial activities responsible for SO₂ emission. At this site, influence of five types of airmass trajectories was noticed i.e. i) C.I.O. (Central part of Indian Ocean)-when air masses blown from Maldives and nearby region of central Indian ocean. These airmasses had higher concentrations of nss Ca²⁺ which did not show any adverse impact on the pH; ii) N.W.I.O.(North-West Indian Ocean)-when airmasses travelled from oceanic region close to north-east Africa. These airmassses had higher concentrations of nss sulphate and nitrate and gave rise to acid rain; iii) S.W.I.O. (South -West Indian Ocean)- when airmasses came from southern part of Indian ocean (close to Mauritius). During these airmasses, rain water samples had almost equal ratio of nss SO₄²⁻ and nss Ca²⁺ similar to N.W.I.O but very low NO₃⁻ ; iv) Gulf-when airmasses were observed coming from Gulf region. Although these airmasses contributed only 2% of the total number of samples but carried high amount of nss SO₄²⁻ which gave rise to acid rain. The second lowest pH was observed during these airmasses which might be due to very high nssSO₄²⁻/nssCa²⁺ ratios; v) N.W.I.O. + S.W.I.C. (North-West Indian Ocean+South-West Indian Continental)- when airmasses originated from north-west Indian Ocean travelling towards south continental part of India and then arriving to the site. During these airmasses, samples showed typical influence of urban activities having high concentrations of nss SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻ leading to the lowest pH of rain water.     

Elemental and organic carbon in atmospheric aerosols at downtown and suburban sites in Prague

Organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) content in PM₁₀ was studied at two sites in Prague, which were located in a suburb and in the downtown. Similar overall average levels were found for both species and also for the PM₁₀ mass at the two sites (i.e., 5.5 and 4.8 μg/m³ for OC, 0.74 and 0.80 μg/m³ for EC, and 33 μg/m³ and 37 μg/m³ for the PM₁₀ mass at the suburb and downtown site, respectively), but substantial differences were observed between the two sites in some seasons and/or meteorological situations. Approximately three times higher values were found for OC in winter compared to summer, with a higher winter/summer ratio for the suburban site. The differences for EC were smaller, but still, compared to summer, more than two times higher EC levels were observed during autumn at the suburban site and 1.5 higher EC levels in winter and autumn at the downtown site. The lowest OC to EC ratios at the suburban site were 3.4, while they were around 1.3 for the downtown site. It was found that the origin of the air masses had a major impact on the observed PM₁₀ mass and OC levels, with largest concentrations noted for air masses recirculating over central Europe and arriving from southeastern Europe in winter. Trajectories coming from the west and northwest originating above the Atlantic Ocean and the Artic brought the cleanest air masses to the sites. For EC the largest difference between the two sites was observed for northwesterly winds during the non-heating season when the suburban site was upwind of Prague.     

Variations of levels and composition of PM10 and PM2.5 at an insular site in the Western Mediterranean

The insular suburban site of Castillo de Bellver was selected for the study of the variability of PM levels and composition in the Western Mediterranean Basin (WMB).Mean annual (in 2004) PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 levels at this site were 29 and 20 µg/m³, respectively. These levels may be regarded as relatively low when compared with other suburban insular locations in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin (EMB), but they are higher than those recorded at most of the European suburban sites, especially in Northern and Western Europe. Seasonal variability of PM levels at this site is governed by meteorology rather than local emissions, whereas the daily cycles are clearly defined by the anthropogenic emissions, mainly coming from the urban area of Palma de Mallorca and the harbour area of the same city.Concerning the aerosol composition at this site, the main PM constituent is the mineral matter (29% in PM₁₀ and 16 % in PM_2.5), more than 50% (in PM₁₀) being attributable to African dust. The amount of secondary inorganic aerosols is also very high (27% in PM₁₀ and 34% in PM_2.5), with the predominance of fine ammonium sulphate, and in a less proportion fine ammonium nitrate (in winter) and coarse Ca and Na nitrate (with higher importance in summer). The carbonaceous particles, dominantly fine, account for 17% of PM₁₀ and 25% of PM_2.5. The elemental carbon/organic carbon (EC/OC) ratio reached a mean value of 0.17, similar to those observed at regional background sites in the WMB coast of Spain. The sea spray aerosols (mainly coarse) represented around 10% of PM₁₀, and only 4% in PM_2.5. Finally, the unaccounted fraction increased from 15% to 20% in PM_2.5, being mostly attributed to water.The concentrations of trace elements in PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 were usually in the range to those observed in regional background sites in the Iberian Peninsula, with the exception of the typical tracers of road traffic such as Cu, Sb, Zn, Sn and Ba, which presented concentrations in the range of urban sites of Iberia. Other elements such as Cr, Zr, Hf and Co have been identified as the main tracers of the harbour contributions.     

Elemental and organic carbon in atmospheric aerosols at downtown and suburban sites in Prague

Organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) content in PM₁₀ was studied at two sites in Prague, which were located in a suburb and in the downtown. Similar overall average levels were found for both species and also for the PM₁₀ mass at the two sites (i.e., 5.5 and 4.8 μg/m³ for OC, 0.74 and 0.80 μg/m³ for EC, and 33 μg/m³ and 37 μg/m³ for the PM₁₀ mass at the suburb and downtown site, respectively), but substantial differences were observed between the two sites in some seasons and/or meteorological situations. Approximately three times higher values were found for OC in winter compared to summer, with a higher winter/summer ratio for the suburban site. The differences for EC were smaller, but still, compared to summer, more than two times higher EC levels were observed during autumn at the suburban site and 1.5 higher EC levels in winter and autumn at the downtown site. The lowest OC to EC ratios at the suburban site were 3.4, while they were around 1.3 for the downtown site. It was found that the origin of the air masses had a major impact on the observed PM₁₀ mass and OC levels, with largest concentrations noted for air masses recirculating over central Europe and arriving from southeastern Europe in winter. Trajectories coming from the west and northwest originating above the Atlantic Ocean and the Artic brought the cleanest air masses to the sites. For EC the largest difference between the two sites was observed for northwesterly winds during the non-heating season when the suburban site was upwind of Prague.     

Source terms and source strengths of the carbonaceous aerosol in the tropics

Atmospheric aerosol samples were collected in the Ivory Coast, primarily at Lamto (6°N, 5°W) between 1979 and 1981. The samples were analysed for total particulate carbon concentration and isotopic composition (¹³C/¹²C) by mass spectrometry. Observed concentrations were found high compared to values reported for temperate regions. Fine particulate carbon in the submicrometersize range accounted for 50 to 80% of the reported concentrations. At Lamto, both particulate carbon concentrations and isotopic ratios exhibit a large temporal variability which is shown to reflect the diversity of sources and their seasonal evolution. Natural emissions from the equatorial forest during the wet season, and biomass burning during the dry season, appear to be the major sources. The latter, though active during only a third of the year, is, on an annual basis, the most important source. Based on the data obtained at Lamto, an attempt has been made to estimate the flux of fine particulate carbon emitted from the tropical regions into the global troposphere. This flux, which is of the order of 20×10¹² g C/yr, appears to be equivalent to the flux of fine particulate carbon emitted from industrial sources. These results suggest that the tropospheric burden of fine particulate carbon in lowlatitude regions is dominated by the long-range transport of carbonaceous aerosols originating from the Tropics.     

Chemical components of lower tropospheric aerosols in the high arctic: Six years of observations

Six years of observations (1980 to 1986) of the composition of lower tropospheric aerosols at Alert on northern Ellesmere Island in the Canadian high Arctic yield insight into the seasonal variation of Arctic air pollutants as well as of substances of natural origin. A principal component analysis of 138 observations of 21 aerosol constituents (major ions, metals, nonmetallic trace elements) for the most polluted period of December to April identified not only a soil, sea salt and anthropogenic aerosol component, but also one associated with photochemical reactions in the atmosphere that occur at polar sunrise. Depending on the source of their gaseous precursors, elements in the photochemical component can be natural or anthropogenic in origin. For instance, SO₄ ^2-, existing mostly as H₂SO₄, originates probably from both anthropogenic and natural sources while Br^– is likely of marine origin. In contrast, SO₄ ^2- in the anthropogenic component has the stoichiometry of NH₄HSO₄. In the winter months, over 90% of Arctic SO₄ ^2- is in the anthropogenic and photochemical components.In winter, a substantial portion (11 to 35%) of Na⁺ is associated with the anthropogenic aerosol component suggesting either that marine aerosols have been physically or chemically modified by interactions with air pollution or that there are anthropogenic sources of Na⁺.The aerosol soil component is controlled by both local and distant dust sources. During a year, it has two peaks at Alert, one in April/May coinciding with the Asian dust storm season and one in September.There is a marked difference in the seasonal variation of particulate Br^– and iodine concentrations in the air. Both have a peak in April/May associated with polar sunrise and, hence, photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. However, iodine also peaks in early fall. This may be a product of biogenic iodine emissions to the atmosphere during secondary blooms in northern oceans in late summer.Presented at the Second Conference on Baseline Observations in Atmospheric Chemistry (SABOAC II) in Melbourne, Australia, November 1988     

Trans-boundary and in-country transport of air pollutants observed in Kobe,Japan by high frequent filter pack sampling method

The seasonal intensive sampling of gases and particulate matter in ambient air was conducted at the site established in urban area of Japan to study the seasonal difference of the temporal variation of gases and particulate matter concentrations in urban atmosphere as well as to illustrate the different transport regimes that impacts air pollutants. The sample was collected by the four-stage filter-pack method with 6-h interval for one week in four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter). The trans-boundary transport of air pollutants with high concentration was characteristically observed in the spring sampling. On the other hand, we could successfully detect the in-country transports of air pollutants in the summer sampling. Four-season’s intensive survey considered, we could show the characteristic transport of air pollutants to provide the episodic high concentration for ambient air in the urban area of Japan, and successfully illustrate the seasonal-dependent transport regimes to impact on air pollutants.     

Deposition of atmospheric particulate PCBs in suburban site of Turkey

Dry deposition and air concentration samples were collected from July 2004 to May 2005 at a suburban site in Turkey. A water surface sampler (WSS) was used to measure directly the dry deposition flux of particulate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) while a high volume air sampler (HVAS) was employed to collect air samples. Particulate PCB concentrations accounted for 15% of total PCBs (gas + particle phase) at the site. The overall particulate phase PCB flux ranged from 2 to 160 ng m^− 2 d^− 1 with an average of 46.3 ± 40.6 ng m^− 2 d^− 1. Forty one PCB congeners were targeted in the samples while twenty one congeners were found to be higher than detection limits in deposition samples. Fluxes for homolog groups ranged between 0.9 (7-CBs) and 21.0 (3-CBs) ng m^− 2 d^− 1. Measured dry deposition fluxes were lower than the ones usually reported for urban sites. Average PCB dry deposition velocity, calculated using flux values and concurrently measured atmospheric concentrations, was 1.26 ± 1.86 cm s^− 1 depended on size distribution of particles, atmospheric PCB concentrations and meteorological conditions.     

Particle composition and size distributions in and around a deep-pit swine operation,Ames, IA

The contribution of emissions from agricultural facilities is rapidly becoming a major concern for local and regional air quality. Characterization of particle properties such as physical size distribution and chemical composition can be valuable in understanding the processes contributing to emissions and ultimate fate of particulate matter from agricultural facilities. A measurement campaign was conducted at an Iowa, deep-pit, three-barn swine finishing facility to characterize near-source ambient particulate matter. Size-specific mass concentrations were determined using minivol samplers, with additional size distribution information obtain using optical particle counters. Particulate composition was determined via ion chromatographic analysis of the collected filters. A thermal-CO₂ elemental/organic carbon analyzer measured particulate carbon. The chemical composition and size distribution of sub-micron particles were determined via real-time aerosol mass spectrometry. Primary particulate was not found to be a major emission from the examined facility, with filter-based impactor samples showing average near-source increases (~15–50 m) in ambient PM₁₀ of 5.8 ± 2.9 μg m⁻³ above background levels. PM_2.5 also showed contribution attributable to the facility (1.7 ± 1.1 μg m⁻³). Optical particle counter analysis of the numerical size distributions showed bimodal distributions for both the upwind and downwind conditions, with maximums around 2.5 μm and below the minimum quantified diameter of 0.3 μm. The distributions showed increased numbers of coarse particles (PM₁₀) during periods when wind transport came from the barns, but the differences were not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. The PM₁₀ aerosols showed statistically increased concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, calcium, organic carbon, and elemental carbon when the samplers were downwind from the pig barns. Organic carbon was the major constituent of the barn-impacted particulate matter in both sub-micron (54%) and coarse size (20%) ranges. The AMS PM₁ chemical speciation showed similar species increases, with the exception of and Ca⁺², the latter not quantified by the AMS.     

Trace elements in tropical African savanna biomass burning aerosols

As a part of the FOS/DECAFE experiment, aerosol particles emitted during prescribed savanna fires were collected in January 1991 at Lamto (Ivory Coast), either close to the emission or in ambient air. Analytical transmission electron microscopy pointed out the presence of sub-micrometer soots, salt condensates, vegetation relicts and soil derived particles. The samples were also analyzed for their total particulate matter (TPM) content and elemental composition by PIXE or XRF. At the emission, high concentrations of soil derived elements (Fe and Al) pointed out an intense remobilization process during the fires. Biomass burning emissions contributed to more than 90% of the measured concentrations, of P, Cl, S, K, Cu and Zn, which were found primarily in the fine fraction with the exception of P. Near the emission, K was mainly present as KCl, evolving to K₂SO₄ in the ambient samples. Trace elements emission factors were obtained for the first time for the African savanna burning and their annual emissions were estimated: our median K emission factor (0.78 g/kg of C) is higher than estimates for other ecosystems (0.2–0.58 g/kg of C); Zn emissions (0.008 Tg/year) account for 4 to 11% of the global anthropogenic emissions.     

Seasonal variation of PM10-bound PAHs in the atmosphere of Xiamen, China

PM₁₀ samples from a garden site (site A), an industrial-traffic intersection (site B), a residential site (site C) and an island site (site D) were collected at December 21–29, 2004; March 18–22, 2005; July 4–13, 2005 and October 24–28, 2005 in Xiamen. 15 priority PAHs compounds were analyzed by using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The abundance and origin of PAHs are discussed to reveal seasonal variations in Xiamen air quality. Average concentrations of Σ15PAHs were 17.5 ng/m³, 3.7 ng/m³, 32.6 ng/m³ and 10.5 ng/m³ from spring to winter with the highest value in autumn. The dominant PAHs components in every season were low and middle molecular weight PAHs including phenanthrene, pyrene, fluoranthene and chrysene. Diagnostic ratios and PCA analysis identified the main sources of particle bound PAHs: mainly from both gasoline and diesel vehicles exhaust, with some contribution from coal combustion, industry emission and cooking sources.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in urban air of Konya, Turkey

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined in urban air samples of Konya, Turkey between August 2006 and May 2007. The concentrations of pollutants in both the gas and particulate phase were separately analysed. The average total (gas + particulate) concentrations of PAHs, PCBs and OCPs were determined as 206 ng m^− 3, 0.106 ng m^− 3, 4.78 ng m^− 3 respectively. All of the investigated target compounds were dominantly found in the gas phase except OCPs. Higher air concentrations of PAHs were found at winter season while the highest concentrations of PCBs were determined in September. The highest OCPs were detected in October and in March. In urban air of Konya, PCB 28 and PCB 52 congeners represent 46% and 35% of total PCBs while Phenanthrene, Fluoranthene, Pyrene accounted for 29%, 13%, 10% of total PAHs. HCH compounds (α + β + γ + δ-HCH), total DDTs (p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDT), Endosulfan compounds (Endosulfan I, Endosulfan II, Endosulfan sulfate) were dominantly determined as 30%, 21%, 20% of total OCPs respectively. Considering the relation between these compounds with temperature, there was no significant correlation observed. Despite banned/restricted use in Turkey, some OCPs were determined in urban air. These results demonstrated that they are either illegally being used in the course of agricultural activity and gardens in Konya or they are residues of past use in environment. According to these results, it can be suggested that Konya is an actively contributing region to persistent organic pollutants in Turkey.     

Characterization of particulate matter in the Apulia Region (South of Italy): features and critical episodes

The chemical composition of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 samples collected during two seasonal monitoring campaigns at residential, urban and industrial Apulia Region- sites was investigated. Ionic fraction, carbonaceous compounds and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons were determined for all samples. High correlations among PM data collected in the investigated sites suggested the regional character of particulate matter. It was also confirmed by five days back trajectories analysis. Moreover, no significant seasonal trend in PM mass concentration was observed in the investigated sites. These results, relevant for the area under investigations, were not observed in the North of Italy and Europe and allow to conclude that PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 cannot be considered ‘good’ indicators for the evaluation of local anthropic contributions to air quality. On the contrary, the high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons found in Taranto sampling sites suggested that PAHs can be a better indicator for this purpose. This result is also relevant in order to weigh the importance of industrial area and to suggest right policy control to decision makers.