abstract
Polar organic species, including n-alkanols, sterols, anhydrosugars, n-alkanoic acids, n-alkenoic acids and dicarboxylic acids were quantified to typify the composition of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10-2.5) aerosols collected simultaneously at roadside and background sites in Oporto (Portugal) and Copenhagen (Denmark) during separate month-long intensive summer and winter campaigns. As a general trend, both cities exhibit roadside average concentrations higher than their correspondent urban background levels. The polar organics are more abundant in the fine fraction, exhibiting a seasonal pattern with high winter concentrations and low surnmer loads. Aerosols from both cities showed typical distributions of n-alkanols and n-alkanoic acids in the ranges (C12C28)-C-__ and C-8-C-28, respectively. The < C-20 homologues, usually attributed to kitchen emissions. vehicular exhausts and microbial origins, dominated the fatty acid fraction. Linear alcohols were mainly represented by higher molecular weight homologues from vegetation waxes. Molecular tracer species for wood smoke (e.g. levoglucosan, mannosan and resinic acids) were found to contribute significantly to the urban aerosol, especially in winter. Ratios between these tracers indicated different biofuel contributions to the atmospheric particles of the two cities. Secondary constituents from both biogenic (e.g. pinonic acid) and anthropogenic precursors (e.g. phthalic and benzoic acids) were detected in both cities and seasons. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
keywords
PARTICLE-SIZE DISTRIBUTION; BIOMASS BURNING AEROSOLS; FINE PARTICULATE MATTER; DICARBOXYLIC-ACIDS; MOLECULAR MARKERS; MASS-SPECTROMETRY; MARINE AEROSOLS; WOOD COMBUSTION; AIR PARTICLES; UNITED-STATES
subject category
Environmental Sciences & Ecology; Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
authors
Oliveira, C; Pio, C; Alves, C; Evtyugina, M; Santos, P; Goncalves, V; Nunes, T; Silvestre, AJD; Palmgren, F; Wahlin, P; Harrad, S
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