Abstract
Passive sampling for the monitoring of organic pollutants (PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs) in ambient air has received increased attention in the last two decades. However, the accuracy of the concentration of organics obtained with passive samplers under varying environmental conditions is a subject of controversy. In this study, effect of ambient temperature on passive samplers was evaluated by using three different sampler configurations. Additionally, passive samplers with polyurethane disks (PUF) were applied throughout the Island for the determination of the airborne concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The passive samplers were deployed in seven municipalities for three-month periods in two different sampling campaigns, representing hurricane and non-hurricane seasons. Here we present preliminary results obtained from those sampling campaigns. The total concentrations of 15 PAHs varied from 3.1 to 19.6 and from 5.5 to 38.5 ng/m3 for hurricane and non-hurricane seasons, respectively. Hurricane and non-hurricane season concentrations of PAH were significantly different for the samples taken in the northern municipalities of the Island. However, there was no significant difference in PAH concentrations between the hurricane and non-hurricane seasons for the southern sites. Increased rainfall and high-relative humidity during the hurricane season had an influence on the concentrations of PAHs derived by the passive PUF sampler.
Highlights
Passive samplers with polyurethane disks (PUF) have been widely used for the last decade in the measurement of semi volatile organics (SOCs), in part because they are easy to handle, operate independently for several months, and are inexpensive
Hurricane and non-hurricane season concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were significantly different for the samples taken in the northern municipalities of the Island
There was no significant difference in PAH concentrations between the hurricane and non-hurricane seasons for the southern sites
Summary
Passive samplers with polyurethane disks (PUF) have been widely used for the last decade in the measurement of semi volatile organics (SOCs), in part because they are easy to handle, operate independently for several months, and are inexpensive. Knowledge of the sampling rate of the device is necessary for an accurate conversion of the sampled mass to an ambient concentration. Environmental conditions around the sampler influence the sampling rate and the performance with which the PUF sampler can be used. The reliability of passive sampling techniques under varying environmental conditions is a subject of controversy. Environmental conditions that may affect the PUF sampler are wind speed, temperature (T), atmospheric pressure, sunlight/UV-light and humidity. T affects the compound specific molecular diffusion coefficients (D) of the pollutants by increasing D with T
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
