YEAR TIME MODULATION OF n-ALKANES, PAH, NITRO-PAH AND ORGANIC ACIDS AT MONTELIBRETTI ROME, ITALY

Abstract

The organic fraction of airborne particulates was investigated at Montelibretti RM, Italy, over 12 months and n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrated polycyclic aromatics and aliphatic acids were evaluated. The year time modulations were acquired from all groups of compounds, both in quantitative (cumulative concentrations) and qualitative (percent compositions) terms. Some distribution indexes and diagnostic ratio rates drawn from congener abundances provided information about the twin nature (anthropogenic and biogenic) of sources of organic particulate. Briefly, unlike past decades the appearance of the Montelibretti location was that of a site affected overall by local pollution, as a consequence of both direct anthropogenic emissions and secondary oxidized compounds. The occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) seemed to depend overall upon vehicle emission (diesel powered in particular), although a second, unknown source with year time modulation was present, apparently not associated with biomass/wood burning. By contrast, nitro-PAHs were mainly associated to oxidation of parent PAHs. In summer, PAHs were found at concentrations similar to those measured in 1993–1995, whilst in winter they were three times more abundant than previously reported.