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Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)
Published on: May 16, 2016
Alternative normalization method of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pollution level recorded by tree
Yuli Zhao1, Qiuquan Wang, Limin Yang
1Department of Chemistry & the MOE Key Laboratory of Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, China.
Environmental Science & Technology
|October 21, 2006
Summary
A new method uses natural perylene (PER) in tree bark to normalize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels. This approach offers a more flexible and accurate way to assess atmospheric PAH pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Atmospheric Science
- Biomonitoring
Background:
- Tree bark is a passive medium for sampling atmospheric pollutants.
- Traditional methods for assessing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in bark have limitations.
- Accurate quantification of atmospheric PAHs is crucial for environmental monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an alternative normalization method for evaluating atmospheric PAHs pollution using tree bark.
- To introduce perylene (PER) as a natural internal compound (NIC) for normalization.
- To assess the reliability of the proposed method against existing metrics.
Main Methods:
- Proposed perylene (PER) as a natural internal compound (NIC).
- Calculated the concentration ratio of target PAH to PER (RPAH/PER).
- Investigated the influence of bark characteristics and seasonal meteorological conditions on PAH partitioning.
Main Results:
- The RPAH/PER ratio effectively minimizes uncertainty in atmospheric PAHs pollution evaluation.
- RPAH/PER is a viable alternative index compared to bark mass concentration (BMCPAH), lipid mass concentration (LMCPAH), and area mass concentration (AMCPAH).
- The method allows for more flexible tree bark sampling.
Conclusions:
- The developed normalization method using RPAH/PER provides a more objective evaluation of atmospheric PAHs pollution.
- This methodology can be extended to other persistent organic pollutants if suitable NICs are identified.
- Tree bark, normalized with NICs, offers a flexible and reliable passive sampling medium for atmospheric pollution assessment.
