Measurement of particulate aliphatic and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in Santiago de Chile: Source reconciliation and evaluation of sampling artifacts
Abstract
Using a novel sampler, particulate organic compounds were collected in Santiago de Chile from June 9 to August 10, 1997. This sampler consists of a diffusion denuder to remove gas-phase organics prior to particle collection, a Teflon filter, and a PUF cartridge downstream of the filter. PAHs and n- alkanes were measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Volatilization of particles collected on the Teflon filter varied from 15 to 85% for both n-alkanes and PAHs, with strong dependence on molecular weight. The relative distribution of n-alkanes and the values of molecular diagnostic ratios, such as Carbon preference index, indicated a mixed origin with strong anthropogenic input. Indeed, CPI values ranged from 0.66 to 1.96 (for the whole range of n-alkanes). The percent contribution of leaf 'wax' n-alkanes (4.55-20.83%) indicated the low contribution of biogenic sources. In addition, the distribution pattern of PAHs was characteristic of anthropogenic emissions. The dominant contribution of combustion-related PAHs (CPAHs), 74-84%, indicated that vehicular emissions was the major source of PAHs.
Publication Title
Atmospheric Environment
Recommended Citation
Kavouras, I., Lawrence, J., Koutrakis, P., Stephanou, E., & Oyola, P. (1999). Measurement of particulate aliphatic and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in Santiago de Chile: Source reconciliation and evaluation of sampling artifacts. Atmospheric Environment, 33 (30), 4977-4986. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(99)00281-2
