Seasonal distribution of polar organic compounds in the urban atmosphere of two large cities from the North and South of Europe

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Oliveira, C (Author) Other; Pio, C (Author) Other; Alves, C (Author) Other; Evtyugina, M (Author) Other; Santos, P (Author) Other; Goncalves, V (Author) Other; Nunes, T (Author) Other; Silvestre, AJD (Author) Other; Palmgren, F (Author) Other; Wahlin, P (Author) Other; Harrad, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Atmospheric Environment

Vol. 41

Pages: 5555-5570

ISSN: 1352-2310

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 87 Citations

Scopus - 90 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-7KX

DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.03.001

Abstract (EN): 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.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16