Usage of tree components in modeling atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

In this study, the concentrations of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in olive tree components (one-year-old branch, two-year-old branch and leaves) and in ambient air were determined. The mean concentrations of total of 14 PAH compounds (Σ14PAH) for ambient air, olive leaf, one-year-old branch and two-year-old branch were 24.5±4.05 ng/m3, 468.28±374.92, 558.16±261.84, and 321.02±203.48 ng/g DM, respectively. Eleven different models were used to predict atmospheric PAH concentrations and determine the direction of PAHs movement. In these models, branch-air (CBA) and leaf-air (CLA) distribution coefficients are taken into account. Zhao et al. (2008) model was applied for the values measured in branches. The relationship between the measured and modeled PAH compounds was obtained as R2=0.73 and R2=0.70 for one- and two-year-old branches, respectively. PAH concentrations in the air were estimated using ten different models with PAH concentrations measured in leaves. The results of the models are plotted against log KOA values. Trapp and Matthies (1995) and Steayaert et al. (2009) models gave results closer to the measured values. Equilibrium is expected when the modeled/measured concentration ratio is close to 1.0, while deposition from air to tree components in cold months and evaporation from tree to air in hot months is observed. In addition to the ambient temperature, the lipid ratios of the wood components were determined among the effective factors in the models