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Carbonyl compounds and dissolved organic carbon in rainwater of an urban atmosphere

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Abstract

This study investigates the occurrence of carbonyl compounds in rainwater at the city of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. The concentrations of carbonyl compounds (as sum of 14 compounds) ranged from 21.8 to 592 μg/L, mean concentration 119 μg/L. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, hexanal, glyoxal, and methylglyoxal were the dominant compounds. DOC concentrations in rainwater ranged from 0.46 to 21.3 mg/L. UV–Vis and fluorescence spectra characteristics showed variation among rain events. Carbonyl compounds were negatively correlated with temperature exhibited relatively higher concentrations in cold season. They also influenced by storm origin with higher concentrations under terrestrial air masses. Calm conditions enhance the concentrations of DOC. Wash out is an effective removal mechanism of DOC.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. P. Zanis, Department of Meteorology and Climatology, Aristotle University and Dr. A. Kelessis, Environmental Department, Municipality of Thessaloniki for providing the metrological data and concentrations of gaseous pollutants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University, 541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece

    D. Balla, A. Papageorgiou & D. Voutsa

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  1. D. Balla
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  2. A. Papageorgiou
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  3. D. Voutsa
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Correspondence to D. Voutsa.

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Balla, D., Papageorgiou, A. & Voutsa, D. Carbonyl compounds and dissolved organic carbon in rainwater of an urban atmosphere. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 12062–12073 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3080-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3080-8

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