Estimation of Atmospheric PAH Concentrations and Sources at Several Sites Using Pine Needles as a Passive Air Sampler

Abstract

Objectives: This study was carried out in order to estimate atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and sources using pine needles as a passive air sampler (PAS) in urban (Pyeongtaek), semirural (Anseong) and rural (Jincheon) sites. Methods: One-year-old pine needles were collected for analysis of their PAH concentrations (C p, n g/g dry) at the end of December. PAHs concentrations in the ambient air (C a , ng/m 3) were calculated with a Log(C p /C a)-LogK oa correlational equation. Results: PAHs concentrations in ambient air (C a) were high, in the order of urban (114.03 ng/m 3), semirural (105.17 ng/m 3) and rural (61.91 ng/m 3) sites. However, distributions of PAH isomer concentrations were very similar. PAHs of which molecular weight is smaller than 228.30 (AcPy, Acp, Flu, Phen, Ant, Flt, Pyr, BaA, Chry) made up most of the PAHs in the ambient air (96.6-98.5%). Conclusion: At urban, semirural and rural sites, it was concluded that the main source of PAHs in the ambient air ratio of each PAH isomer concentration was cars, especially diesel vehicles.