Air quality and organic compounds in aerosols from a coastal rural area in the Western Iberian Peninsula over a year long period: Characterisation, loads and seasonal trends

abstract

Ambient samples of fine organic aerosol collected from a rural area (Moitinhos) in the vicinity of the small coastal Portuguese city of Aveiro over a period of more than one year have been solvent-extracted and quantitatively characterised by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Particles were also analysed with a thermal-optical technique in order to determine their elemental and organic carbon content. In addition, meteorological sensors and real-time black carbon, ozone and carbon monoxide monitors were used. Particulate matter values were higher than background levels in continental Europe. A patent seasonal variation for organic and elemental carbon concentrations was observed, presumably related to stronger local primary emissions and to limited vertical dispersion. The higher levels were most likely a result of residential wood burning, since black carbon and carbon monoxide maximised during late evening hours in wintertime. Of the bulk of elutable organics, more than a half, on average, was present as acidic fraction. Alcohols, aliphatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons represented together, more than 30% of the elutable mass, also showing a marked seasonal pattern with a minimum in summer and a maximum in winter. The winter increase was more evident for resinic acids, phytosterols, n-alkanoic acids and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

keywords

POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS; GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS; ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS; CARBONACEOUS AEROSOL; PARTICULATE MATTER; AIRBORNE PARTICLES; IDENTIFICATION; EMISSIONS; BRAZIL; URBAN

subject category

Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences

authors

Oliveira, T; Pio, C; Alves, C; Silvestre, A; Evtyugina, M; Afonso, J; Caseiro, A; Legrand, M

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