Determination of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric particulate and vapour phases in Oviedo, Spain, by GC-MS

摘要

A GC-MS procedure for the determination of hydrocarbons in air samples from Oviedo, Spain, was developed. Air hydrocarbons were sampled with a high volume sampler equipped with a holder containing a glass fiber filter, to trap the particulate phase, and two polyurethane foams to capture hydrocarbons of the vapour phase. Compounds were extracted with Ch_2Cl_2 by Soxhlet extraction and then fractionated using column chromatography with alumina-silica. Analyses of the fractions were performed by GC-MS in the electron ionization mode. PAHs and n-alkanes were the compounds examined in this work. Samples collected in the vicinity of the Faculty of Chemistry (a semi-urban area) were analysed. The total concentration of PAHs in the air samples analysed ranged from 28 to 76 ng m~(-3). The total concentration of n-alkanes and PAHs in the vapour phase exceeded the concentration in the particulate phase in the samples analysed.