Abstract
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of various complex organic compounds composed of carbon and hydrogen, and two or more condensed benzene rings. They are released into the atmosphere by the incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic matter. Some of the major sources of PAHs are burning of coal, wood, oil or gas, vehicle engines exhaust, and open burning. PAHs are of great concern to human health mainly because of their known carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Consequently, it is very important to study atmospheric PAHs, especially those associated with ultrafine particles. This study aims to identify the spectral features of PAHs in samples of particulate matter < 1 µm (PM1) using infrared spectrometry. Emissivity and transmittance spectra of PAHs were obtained by infrared spectroscopy. PAHs standards spectra contributed to effectively identify PAHs in PM1 samples. Emissivity and transmittance spectra in the range of 680–900 cm–1 exhibited the largest number of bands due to C–C out-of-plane angular deformations and C–H out-of-plane angular deformations. Bands of medium intensity in 2900–3050 cm–1 region were also observed due to C–H stretching typical of aromatic compounds, although with lower intensity. This study compared the emissivity and transmittance spectra acquired using two different infrared spectrometers in order to identify PAHs in samples of atmospheric particulate matter and analyzed the capability and advantages of each of the infrared spectrometers. In addition, it was confirmed that the PAHs under study can be distinguished by their infrared spectral fingerprints.
Highlights
Particulate matter (PM) is considered as one of the major pollutants that affect the health of humans, especially for the fine and ultrafine fraction, which can adsorb greater concentrations of toxic compounds, e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) (Silva et al, 2009; Ribeiro et al, 2010; Kronbauer et al, 2013; Dias et al, 2014; Garcia et al, 2014; Pérez et al, 2014)
This study aims to identify the spectral features of PAHs in samples of particulate matter < 1 μm (PM1) using infrared spectrometry
We conclude that the measurements of both emissivity and transmittance spectra using infrared spectroscopy are useful methods for the analysis of atmospheric particulate matter
Summary
Particulate matter (PM) is considered as one of the major pollutants that affect the health of humans, especially for the fine and ultrafine fraction, which can adsorb greater concentrations of toxic compounds, e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-PAHs (Silva et al, 2009; Ribeiro et al, 2010; Kronbauer et al, 2013; Dias et al, 2014; Garcia et al, 2014; Pérez et al, 2014). The key sources of atmospheric emission of PAHs are incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic matter (Li et al, 2005). Vehicular exhausts and combustion of coal, wood, or oil are the major contributors of PAHs in the atmosphere. Vehicular exhausts, especially those from diesel engines, are the main sources of PAHs
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