Azaarenes in the Aerosol of an Urban Atmosphere

Abstract

The results of an extensive study of 47 azaarenes in the Liverpool urban atmosphere through the period from September 1994 to March 1996 are reported. Total suspended particles and size-fractionated particles were collected by high volume sampling techniques and cascade impactor sampling techniques. The overall mean ∑azaarene concentration was 2.80 ng m -3 . The monthly mean ∑azaarene concentrations show a very strong seasonal variation in which the maximum concentration occurred in the winter and the minimum in the summer months, with a concentration range of 0.4-7.64 ng m -3 . There are highly significant covariations between the different ring sized group, which suggests that there are similar source strengths and transport mechanisms for these compounds. The particle size distributions indicate that the combustion of fossil fuel is probably the main source of azaarene compounds during the winter. The percentage concentrations of azaarene show that these compounds also tend to associate with larger particles in warm periods and enrich in fine particles in cold weather conditions.

Occurrence of azaarenes in sediments of the Danshuei River, Taiwan—The use of azaarenes as indicator of anthropogenic source to the estuarine system

“…Studies Chen and Preston, 1998) find a number of correlations between different molecular size groups of azaarenes in environmental particles. These results indicate a strong correlation between 3-ring and 4-ring azaarene concentrations (Table II), suggesting a common source and same transport mechanisms for the compounds (Chen and Preston, 1998).…”

“…This substitution makes them better soluble in water than their homocyclic analogues (Chen and Preston, 2004a;Feldmannová et al, 2006). Like PAHs, azaarenes are also the products of combustion processes (Chen and Preston, 1998) and some members of azaarenes are known as mutagens and/or carcinogens (Southworth et al, 1978). Azaarenes are present in the environment at lower concentrations than the parent PAHs, but due to greater solubility they are more bioavailable and might have greater potential for toxicity (Burý-šková et al, 2006).…”

“…Such material may be washed from streets and roads by rainfall, transported by rivers and streams, and eventually accumulated in the sediments. Fallout of atmospheric particulate matter containing azaarenes from fossil fuel combustion is another likely source (Chen and Preston, 1998). The notion of an anthropogenically generated azaarenes input in aquatic sediments is supported by the research of Osborne et al (1997) and by Chen and Preston (1998) based on separate analyses of atmospheric particles and river sediments.…”

“…Fallout of atmospheric particulate matter containing azaarenes from fossil fuel combustion is another likely source (Chen and Preston, 1998). The notion of an anthropogenically generated azaarenes input in aquatic sediments is supported by the research of Osborne et al (1997) and by Chen and Preston (1998) based on separate analyses of atmospheric particles and river sediments. These air particulates provide a concentrated source of azaarenes to fresh sediments either via direct deposition into fresh and marine waters followed by the subsequent settling, or via indirect sewage effluent, storm, and river water runoff (Furlong and Carpenter, 1982).…”

Light-induced transformations of aza-aromatic pollutants adsorbed on models of atmospheric particulate matter: Acridine and 9(10-H) acridone

“…Although, 47 azapolycyclic aromatic compounds (aza-PACs) have been identified on atmospheric particulate matter, no information on their phototransformation on models of atmospheric particulate matter is available (Chen and Preston, 1998). Therefore, in this work we are concerned with phototransformations of azaarenes on the particulate matter.…”