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Winter and Summer PAH Mass Concentrations : Comparison between PM10 and PM2.5 Particle Fraction Measurements

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate if there were statistically significant differences between PAH mass concentrations measured in inhalable or thoracic (PM10) and respirable or high-risk (PM2.5) particle fraction. Twenty-four hour air samples were collected at one site in the northern part of Zagreb, Croatia by low-volume PM10 and PM2.5 samplers (50m3) for a period of 30 consecutive days in winter (January) and summer (July). Glass fibre filters were used to collect PM10 and PM2.5 particle fractions. The analysis was performed by HPLC and fluorescent detector with changeable excitation and emission wavelength. Samples were analysed for the following PAHs: fluoranthene (Flu), pyrene (Pyr), benzo-b- fluoranthene (BbF), benzo-k-fluoranthene (BkF), benzo-a-pyrene (BaP) and benzo-ghi-perylene (BghiP). The average mass concentration of BaP measured in winter in PM10 was 3.039 ng/m3 and in PM2.5 3.178 ng/m3. BghiP had a higher average mass concentration than BaP. The average mass concentration of BghiP in PM10 in winter was 4.081 ng/m3 and in PM2.5 4.099 ng/m3. Although the average PM10 mass concentrations of all PAHs, except for winter BaP and BghiP , were slightly higher than PM2.5 concentrations, the differences between all measured PAHs were not statistically significant. The average mass concentration of BaP measured in summer in PM10 was 0.048 ng/m3 and in PM2.5 0.049 ng/m3 and the average mass concentration of BghiP in PM10 was 0.147 ng/m3 and in PM2.5 0.156 ng/m3 respectively. The average summer mass concentrations of all PAHs in PM2.5 were slightly higher, but the differences were not statistically significant. The results of measurements showed that all PAHs were present in respirable (high-risk) particle fractions, regardless of the season.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Benzo-a-pyrene; Particle size distribution; Seasonal influence; Meteorological condition

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