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PM 2.5 and PAH Concentrations in Urban Atmosphere of Tiruchirappalli, India

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Abstract

Airborne PM 2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to it were determined from March 2009 to February 2010 at different locations in Tiruchirappalli City, Southern India using fine particulate sampler and high performance liquid chromatography. Average ∑9 PAHs concentrations at four sampling stations were 333.7, 202.6, 265.9, and 232.7 ng/m3, respectively. Highest concentration of PAHs was observed during northeast monsoon season (301.5 ng/m3) and lowest in southwest monsoon (216 ng/m3). Low and medium molecular weight PAHs such as phenanthrene, anthracene, benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene were observed in all seasons. Principal compound analysis revealed gasoline and diesel vehicular emissions as major sources for PAHs compounds.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Defence Research and Developmental Organization (DRDO), Government of India, for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Management, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, India

    R. Mohanraj, G. Solaraj & S. Dhanakumar

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  1. R. Mohanraj
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  2. G. Solaraj
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  3. S. Dhanakumar
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Correspondence to R. Mohanraj.

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Mohanraj, R., Solaraj, G. & Dhanakumar, S. PM 2.5 and PAH Concentrations in Urban Atmosphere of Tiruchirappalli, India. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 87, 330–335 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-011-0349-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-011-0349-1

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