Trends in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in the Great Lakes atmosphere

Journal Article · Sun Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · Environmental Science and Technology

OSTI ID:20823813

Sun, Ping; Blanchard, Pierrette; Brice, Kenneth A; Hites, Ronald A ^[1]

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1. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (United States). School of Public and Environmental Affairs

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) concentrations were measured in both the vapor and particle phases at seven sites near the Great Lakes as a part of the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network. Lower molecular weight PAHs, including fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthrene, and pyrene, were dominant in the vapor phase, and higher molecular weight PAHs, including chrysene, benzo(a)pyrene, and coronene, were dominant in the particle phase. The highest PAH concentrations in both the vapor and particle phases were observed in Chicago followed by the semiurban site at Sturgeon Point, NY. The major sources of PAHs in and around Chicago are vehicle emissions, coal and natural gas combustion, and coke production. The spatial difference of PAH concentrations can be explained by the local population density. Long-term decreasing trends of most PAH concentrations were observed in both the vapor and particle phases at Chicago, with half-lives ranging from 3-10 years in the vapor phase and 5-15 years in the particle phase. At Eagle Harbor, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Sturgeon Point, total PAH concentrations in the vapor phase showed significant, but slow, long-term decreasing trends. At the Sturgeon Point site, which was impacted by a nearby city, particle-phase PAH concentrations also declined. However, most particle-phase PAH concentrations did not show significant long-term decreasing trends at the remote sites. Seasonal trends were also observed for particle-phase PAH concentrations, which were higher in the winter and lower in the summer. 36 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 20823813
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 40, Issue 20; Other Information: [e-mail]; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
GREAT LAKES
ILLINOIS
NEW YORK
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
URBAN AREAS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
CANADA
USA
AIR POLLUTION
SAMPLING
VAPORS
PARTICULATES
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
PARTICLES
COKING PLANTS
COAL
VEHICLES
GASEOUS WASTES
POLLUTION SOURCES
EXHAUST GASES