Gas/particle partitioning of PCDD/F compounds in the atmosphere of Istanbul

Gas/particle partitioning of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) compounds in the ambient atmosphere were investigated at three different sites (urban-industrial, urban and sub-urban) in İstanbul. Average gas and particle phase concentrations were measured as 133 fg m−3 and 1605 fg m−3, respectively. Gas phase concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/furan (PCDD/F) compounds were determined to be 128 fg m−3, 50 fg m−3, 153 fg m−3 during summer season and 204 fg m−3, 164 fg m−3, 154 fg m−3 during winter season for the respective three sampling sites. Particle phase concentrations were determined to be 287 fg m−3, 176 fg m−3, 160 fg m−3 during summer and 6586 fg m−3, 2570 fg m−3 and 1861 fg m−3 during winter season for those three sampling sites. Chlorination level and molecular weight of congeners affected gas/particle partitioning of PCDD/F compounds. Gas phase percentages of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and OCDD concentrations were determined to be 47% and 1% respectively. A relatively high correlation was found between total particle matter (TPM) and particle phase PCDD/F concentration during winter season.