Sources and Fate of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air of Urban and Rural Croatian Sites

Abstract Atmospheric concentrations of nineteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in the particulate and vapour phases of samples collected during 24 hours in winter and summer 1990 from croatian urban, industrial and rural sites. An analytical procedure is described for a comprehensive determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air samples based on aerosol filtration through glass fiber filters and vapour phase adsorption on XAD-2 resin. Separation, indentification and determination of PAHs were performed by TLC, GC and GC-MS. Total concentration of PAHs in Kosnica (winter) was about three to four times (summer) higher than concentration of PAHs in Zavižan. The aerosol composition in Kosnica can be attributed to very high traffic near the sampling site. Concentrations of SO2 and NO2 and granulometric distribution of particulate matter were also measured.