Polycyclıc aromatıc hydrocarbons (PAH`s) in Eskişehir atmosphere, concentratıons and source apportıonment

In this study, seasonal concentrations, gas-particulate distributions, profiles and sources of atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Eskişehir was monitored and investigated.In the context of monitoring studies, Winter Season Sampling Program was performed in January, February, March 2006 and Summer Season Sampling Program was performed in July, August and September 2006 in the city center. Polyurethane Foam Sampler (PUF) was used for sampling. Gaseous and particulate phase air samples was collected separately and atmospheric total suspended particulate (TSP) concentrations was determined. Samples were extracted and cleaned properly and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentrations of the 16 target PAH compounds those listed as priority pollutants by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) were determined. GC-MS analysis method was optimized, calibration and quality control tests have done before analyses. Again the convenience of the extraction and clean-up procedures were tested in the laboratory before analyses.According the results of the sampling campaigns in Eskişehir, total average PAH concentrations in summer and winter were found as 1185 and 178 ng/m3 respectively. The possible reasons and sources of these high concentrations were investigated through diagnostic ratios and source apportionment (factor analysis) techniques. Gas-particle distribution of PAH compounds were investigated and its correlation to Junge-Pankow adsorbtion model was studied.