Abstract
Organic compounds in atmospheric particulate matterabove Maribor were analysed in 120 samples of PM10 sampled according to the EN 12341:2014 reference method. Organic compounds compositions were investigated together with the primary and secondary sources of air pollution. Silylation as derivatisation method was used for the GC/MS determination of volatile and semi-volatile polar organic compounds. Distribution of fatty acids, n-alkanes and iso-alkanes, phthalate esters, siloxanes, different sterols, various sugars and sugar alcohols, compounds of lignin and resin acids, dicarboxylic acids from photochemical reactions, PAHs, organic nitrogen compounds and products from secondary oxidation of monoterpenes were determined. The use of silicone grease for the purpose of lubricating the impact surface of the air sampler caused higher values of gravimetric determination. Solid particles may have been bounced from the surface of a greasy impact plate and re-entrained within the air stream and then collected on a sample filter. The carryover of siloxanes was at least from 5% up to 15% of the accumulated particles weight, depending on ambient temperature. This was the reason that the gravimetric results for determination of PM10 according to the standard EN 12341:2014 were overestimated.
Highlights
Throughout the member States of Europe there is valid a uniform legislation on regulating the environmental area and the protection of human health
Organic compounds in atmospheric particulate matter above Maribor were analysed in 120 samples of PM10 sampled according to the EN 12341:2014 reference method
This was the reason that the gravimetric results for determination of PM10 according to the standard EN 12341:2014 were overestimated
Summary
Throughout the member States of Europe there is valid a uniform legislation on regulating the environmental area and the protection of human health. Member States are obliged to carry out measurements of air pollutants and keep the local public informed about the air quality This data must be reported to the European Environmental Agency. In those cases where pollutants exceed the threshold values the state must design and implement measures to improve the conditions.[1,2,3,4] Air Quality in Slovenia is determined by local emissions and the transport of polluted air across borders.[3] In the air quality directive 2008/EC/50 the European Union has set two limit values for particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM10).[1] The PM10 daily mean value may not exceed 50 μg/m3 more than 35 times during a year and the PM10 annual mean value may not exceed 40 μg/m3. The daily limits are exceeded mainly in winter due to increased traffic, domestic heating, industrial processes and meteorological phenomena such as inversion or low wind speed.[1,2,3,4,5]
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