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Particle Size Distribution and Gas-Particle Partition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Helsinki Urban Area

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Abstract

Ambient concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in Helsinki (Finland). Particle mass size distributions were obtained with a cascade impactor (12 stages) with glass fibre filters as substrates. Simultaneously with the impactor measurements, particulate and gaseous PAHs were collected on a quartz filter and XAD-2 adsorbent, respectively, for evaluation of gas-partition coefficients. Samples were analysed for PAHs by on-line coupled supercritical fluid extraction — liquid chromatography — gas chromatography — mass spectrometry. The impactor results showed that most of the PAHs in Helsinki urban area were concentrated in fine particles (<2.5 μm diameter) with unimode peak at about 1 μm. The results were comparable with the number distribution measured with a differential mobility particle sizer. Total amounts of PAHs (gas + particle) varied from 15 (acenaphthylene) to 1990 (fluorene) pg/m3. The PAHs lighter than 202 amu (pyrene and fluoranthene) were exclusively in gas phase, whereas those heavier than 202 amu were mostly associated with particles. A plot of the partition coefficients (logKp) versus the temperature dependent sub-cooled vapour pressures (logp 0L ) showed a gradient of −0.66, which deviated from equilibrium state (gradient = −1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, PO Box 55, FIN-00014, Finland

    Masahiko Shimmo, Karri Saarnio, Kari Hartonen, Tuulia Hyötyläinen & Marja-Liisa Riekkola

  2. Division of Atmospheric Sciences, Department of Physical Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 64, FIN-00014, Finland

    Pasi Aalto & Markku Kulmala

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  1. Masahiko Shimmo
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  2. Karri Saarnio
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  7. Marja-Liisa Riekkola
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Shimmo, M., Saarnio, K., Aalto, P. et al. Particle Size Distribution and Gas-Particle Partition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Helsinki Urban Area. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry 47, 223–241 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOCH.0000021088.37771.f7

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