Abstract
Field olfactometry is one of the sensory techniques used to determine odour concentration, in atmospheric air, directly in emission sources. A two-dimensional gas chromatography with time of flight mass spectrometer (GC×GC–TOF-MS) allows performing the chemical characterization of various groups of chemical compounds, even in complex mixtures. Application of these techniques enabled determination of odour concentration level in atmospheric air in a vicinity of the oil refinery and the neighbouring wastewater treatment plant. The atmospheric air samples were analysed during a time period extending from February to June 2016. Based on the GC×GC–TOF-MS analysis and odour threshold values, the theoretical odour concentrations were calculated and compared with the odour concentrations determined by field olfactometry technique. The investigations revealed that higher values of odour concentration were obtained with the field olfactometry technique where odour analysis was based on holistic measurement. It was observed that the measurement site or meteorological conditions had significant influence on odour concentration level. The paper also discusses the fundamental analytical instruments utilized in the analysis of odorous compounds and their mixtures.Graphical abstract
Highlights
All forms of human activity, including urbanization of the areas located close to residential buildings, have significant impact on the air quality
Based on the GC9GC–TOF-MS analysis and odour threshold values, the theoretical odour concentrations were calculated and compared with the odour concentrations determined by field olfactometry technique
The investigations revealed that higher values of odour concentration were obtained with the field olfactometry technique where odour analysis was based on holistic measurement
Summary
All forms of human activity, including urbanization of the areas located close to residential buildings, have significant impact on the air quality. To determine the chemical compounds present in various samples including atmospheric air, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detector (GC–MS) is often used [14,15,16] This technique allows identification and quantification of the components in the odour mixtures. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the capability of two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time of flight mass spectrometer and field olfactometry techniques for characterization of the odour properties of atmospheric air in the part of Gdansk City. In this area, a wastewater treatment plant and an oil refinery—one of the biggest industrial plants in the Pomeranian Voivodeship— are located.
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