Occurrence of gaseous and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the urban atmosphere: study of sources and ambient temperature effect on the gas/particle concentration and distribution

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an urban region (Heraklion, Greece) and processes that govern their atmospheric fate were studied from November 2000 until February 2002. Sixteen samples were collected, by using an artifact-free sampling device, on a monthly basis and the concentration of PAHs in gas and particulate phase was determined. The most abundant members (gas + particles) were phenanthrene (20.0 ± 7.0 ng m−3), fluoranthene (6.5 ± 1.7 ng m−3), pyrene (6.6 ± 2.4 ng m−3), and chrysene (3.1 ± 1.5 ng m−3). Total concentration (gas + particulate) of PAH ranged from 44.3 to 129.2 ng m−3, with a mean concentration of 79.3 ng m−3. Total concentration of PAHs in gas phase ranged from 31.4 to 84.7 ng m−3 with non-observable seasonal variation. Conversely, maximum PAH concentrations in the particulate phase occurred during winter months. Particulate concentration varied from 11.4 to 44.9 ng m−3, with an average of 25.2 ng m−3. PAH distribution between gas and particulate phase was in agreement with the sub-cooled vapor pressure. Shift in gas/particle distribution due to difference in ambient temperature elucidated to some extent the seasonal variation of the concentration of PAHs in particles.