Concentrations of polycyclic hydrocarbons in airborne particles in The Netherlands and their correlation with...

The concentrations of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in ambient air particles sampled at four sites in an urban and industrialized area in The Netherlands, and at one site near the coast (generally upwind). The contributions of sources in the area to the background concentrations as measured at the coastal site, were investigated. The temporal and spatial variation of the PAH profile, i.e. the relative concentrations of the 15 individual PAH, were also investigated. Variation of the PAH profile was predominantly determined by volatility. The variation of the profile of the less-volatile PAH was small compared with the variation these PAH had in common. Slight indications for the influence of differing sources and chemical conversion on the profile were found. The role of chemical conversion was suggested by a linkage of the variation of the profile with differences in reactivity between the PAH. The similarity of the profiles at the background coastal site and at the sites influenced by local sources was striking. The PAH concentrations showed weak-to-moderate correlations with mutagenicity. The correlations increased if the results of samples taken during periods with wind from one sector were considered.