Atmospheric PAH concentrations in fine and coarse particles

Abstract

Measurements of the urban air concentrations of PAHs associated with PM2.5-fine and PM10-coarse particles in Chicago on the campus of IIT were achieved using a Universal Air Sampler. Short sampling time (12 hr) and high flow rates were used to measure the PAH concentrations in fine and coarse particles. Measured ambient concentrations of PAHs were classified based on wind direction and back trajectory calculations as Land and Lake samples. Differences in ambient concentrations of PAHs were observed between Land and Lake samples. Fine particle concentrations varied from 9.5 to 25.7 ng m(-3) and averaged 18.2 ng m(-3) for the Land samples, while they ranged from 4.2 to 31.5 ng m(-3) and averaged 13.4 ng m(-3) for the Lake samples. The measured PAH concentrations in coarse particles varied from 6.2 to 22.1 ng m(-3) and averaged 12.9 ng m(-3) for the Land samples, and they ranged from 2.4 to 13.0 ng m(-3) with an average value of 7.3 ng m(-3) for the Lake samples. The fine/coarse ratio of each individual PAH compound varied between 1.3 and 2.7 for the Land samples; it varied between 1.6 and 4.2 for the Lake samples. There was an increase in the fine/coarse ratio of PAH as molecular weight of the compound increases for both Land and Lake samples.