Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean Area

Esther Borrás,Luis Antonio Tortajada-Genaro,Francisco Sanz,Amalia Muñoz

doi:10.3390/atmos12010094

Esther Borrás, Luis Antonio Tortajada-Genaro + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12010094

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Abstract

The chemical characterization of aerosols, especially fine organic fraction, is a relevant atmospheric challenge because their composition highly depends on localization. Herein, we studied the concentration of multi-oxygenated organic compounds in the western Mediterranean area, focusing on sources and the effect of air patterns. The organic aerosol fraction ranged 3–22% of the total organic mass in particulate matter (PM)2.5. Seventy multi-oxygenated organic pollutants were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, including n-alkanones, n-alcohols, anhydrosugars, monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and keto-derivatives. The highest concentrations were found for carboxylic acids, such as linoleic acid, tetradecanoic acid and, palmitic acid. Biomarkers for vegetation sources, such as levoglucosan and some fatty acids were detected at most locations. In addition, carboxylic acids from anthropogenic sources—mainly traffic and cooking—have been identified. The results indicate that the organic PM fraction in this region is formed mainly from biogenic pollutants, emitted directly by vegetation, and from the degradation products of anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic pollutants. Moreover, the chemical profile suggested that this area is interesting for aerosol studies because several processes such as local costal breezes, industrial emissions, and desert intrusions affect fine PM composition.

Highlights

Atmospheric aerosols affect climate and ecosystems, and they are related to human health problems [1]
The present study was focused on the search of the common and specific atmospheric characteristics associated with the western Mediterranean zone
The objective of our research focused on the characterization of the organic fraction of PM2.5

Summary

Introduction

Atmospheric aerosols affect climate and ecosystems, and they are related to human health problems [1]. The magnitude of these effects depends on the aerosol composition, which is temporally and spatially highly variable [2]. Several studies have shown that a significant fraction of the particulate matter (PM) is attributed to the organic fraction. One important challenge for atmospheric chemistry is to elucidate the sources, structure, chemistry, and fate of these organic atmospheric constituents, as this information is crucial for better understanding of local effects and global climate variations [6,7,8]

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