Abstract
Abstract To explore the use of organic compounds as tracers for air pollution sources, data for radiocarbon, trace elements, carbon, and low-polarity organic compounds were obtained for Albuquerque, NM, in December 1985. Measurement of radiocarbon in the organic fraction permitted unambiguous discrimination of modern carbon (wood burning) and fossil carbon (motor vehicle emissions). Modern and fossil carbon co-varied at night, but during the day, modern carbon was correlated with retene, a proposed tracer for softwood combustion. Similar diurnal differences were observed in a multiple linear regression of elemental tracers of woodsmoke and motor vehicle emissions. Using a physical adsorption model, the gas particle distribution of semi-volatile organic compounds in the samples was estimated. The results suggest that, for some compounds, distribution between the gas and particle phases may act as a third “source” affecting measured particulate concentrations. Supporting this conclusion, a factor analysis of the daytime data gave three factors associated with woodsmoke, motor vehicles, and volatile species, respectively.
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
