Determination of 2-nitrofluoranthene and 2-nitropyrene in ambient particulate organic matter: Evidence for atmospheric reactions

Abstract

We have identified and quantified 2-nitrofluoranthene (2-NO 2-FL) and 2-nitropyrene (2-NO 2-PY), both strong, direct mutagens in paniculate organic matter (POM) samples collected in polluted ambient air in southern California. Samples were collected during four consecutive 6-h periods on 18–19 September 1984, during which the ambient concentrations of gaseous co-pollutants were characterized by long pathlength spectroscopic techniques and conventional analyzers. Concentrations ranged up to 0.3 ng m −3 for 2-NO 2-FL and 0.02 ng m −3 for 2-NO 2-PY. The 2-nitro isomers of fluoranthene and pyrene have not been observed in direct emissions of POM (e.g. diesel exhaust and wood smoke). However, we recently observed these isomers from laboratory reactions involving N 2O 5 or OH radicals and the parent compounds. Thus the identification of 2-NO 2-FL and 2-NO 2-PY in ambient POM suggests that chemical transformations of fluoranthene and pyrene may take place in polluted atmospheres.