GC/MS Analysis of Ambient Air Aerosols in the Houston, Texas Area

摘要

Ambient air aerosols and vapor samples were collected by Radian Corp., Austin, TX. in the Houston, Texas area using three different samplers. A High Volume sampler and dichotomous sampler were used for the collection of particulate matter; vapor-phase organic samples were collected with a resin trap sampler developed by Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute (IITRI). The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) was responsible for qualitative and quantitative analyses of these samples. Vapors were analyzed by thermal desorption from the resin bed followed by glass capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Hi-Vol samples were extracted and solvent-partitioned prior to analysis by GC/MS. Dichotomous filters were extracted and the concentrated extracts analyzed directly by GC/MS. Results showed the presence of many saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in all samples. Vapor-phase organics (IITRI samples) consisted predominantly of hydrocarbons (C4-C15), alkylated benzenes and some chlorinated compounds. Results from the dichotomous samples indicate insufficient collection of material for comprehensive analysis. The extracts from Hi-Vol filters contained small quantities of organics. Their analysis was further complicated by the presence of background contaminants, tentatively identified as siloxanes. Quantitative analysis was carried out for selected components from each sample type.