“…However, the Los Angeles metropolitan area represents, incontestably, the one that is favoured by a higher number of studies on organic composition of atmospheric aerosols (Fine et al 2004b, Fraser et al 1997, Hildemann et al 1994, Lough et al 2006, Manchester-Neesvig et al 2003, Rinehart et al 2006, Rogge et al 1993e, 1996, Schauer et al 2002a, Simoneit 1984, Simoneit and Mazurek 1989, Zhu et al 2004. Comparatively, few studies have investigated remote, rural and semi-rural environments (Alves et al 2000, Cheng et al 2006, Feng et al 2007, Oliveira et al 2007b, Pio et al 2001a, b, Rissanen et al 2006, Shimmo et al 2004a, Simoneit et al 1990 or have been performed above ocean areas. These investigations include the Mediterranean (Gogou et al 1996, Grimalt et al 1988, Sicre et al 1987, Simó et al 1991, the North Pacific (Gagosian et al 1981, Kawamura 1995, the South Pacific (Gagosian et al 1987, Sicre andPeltzer 2004), the Caribbean (Mayol-Bracero et al 2001) and the Atlantic (Conte and Weber 2002, Simoneit and Elias 2000, Simoneit et al 1977, 1991b.…”