Characteristics of oxygenated PAHs in PM10 at Seoul, Korea

Seven particulate oxygenated-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) were analyzed in atmospheric particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to a nominal 10 μm (PM10) for the period between September 2006 and August 2007 in Seoul, South Korea. The major contributors of oxy-PAHs production were identified based on statistical analyses such as correlation coefficient relationship, principal component analysis (PCA), and simple reaction kinetics calculation. The results show that (1) the average concentrations of seven oxy-PAHs were 7.63 ± 4.32 ng/m3, with distinctive seasonal variations, being higher in winter (8.70 ± 3.90 ng/m3) and lower in summer (1.47 ± 0.73 ng/m3), similar to PAHs; (2) there were mixed contributions of primary emissions (e.g., vehicular emissions, biomass burning, long-range transport) and atmospheric reactions to oxy-PAH production; and (3) primary emissions might affect more than atmospheric reactions to the oxy-PAHs levels.