Identification and source apportionment of poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air participate matter of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

摘要

In an effort to assess the occurrence and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the ambient air of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, PM,o samples were collected dur ing December 2010. Diagnostic PAH concentration ratios were used as a tool to identify and characterize the PAH sources. The results reflect high PM_(10) and PAH concentra tions (particulate matter (PM)=270-l,270 μg/m~3). The cor responding average PAH concentrations were in the range of 18±8 to 1,003±597 ng/m~3 and the total concentrations (total PAHs (TPAHs) of 17 compounds) varied from 1,383 to 13,470 ng/m~3 with an average of 5,871 ±2,830 ng/m~3. The detection and quantification limits were 1-3 and 1-10 ng/ml, respectively, with a recovery range of 42-80 %. The ratio of the sum of the concentrations of the nine major non-alkylated compounds to the total (CPAHs/TPAHs) was 0.87±0.10, and other ratios were determined to apportior the PM sources. The PAHs found are characteristic for emis sions from traffic with diesel being a predominant source.