Comparison of Atmospheric PAH Profiles in Pine Trees and High-Volume Samplers and the Determination of Source Apportionment

Abstract

<p>This study examined the bias between plant (passive) and high-volume samplers (active) by comparing the PAH profiles of each over a period of three months. A comparison of PAH profiles collected on filters in high-volume samplers (active sampler) with Austrian pine needles and white pine (passive samplers) was done in Moraine and Yellow Springs, OH. The sampling of Moraine has taken place over period of 7 months with samples collected every other month. Yellow Springs samples have been collected over a 6 month period every other month. Diagnostic ratios of PAH concentrations were calculated for comparison of source apportionment between the two sites and sampling methods. The profiles of filters and pine needles varied. Filters collected more of the high molecular weight compounds while the pine needles collected the lighter molecular weight compounds. The profiles were similar in that fluoranthene was the highest in concentration of the lighter compounds for each month. In all cases the amount of PAHs collected on filters was greater than in the pine needles on a dry weight basis. The mass of PAHs the needles collected ranged from 1.16 μg/g-4.38 μg/g while the filters ranged from 161.53 μg/g-436.33 μg/g. The filters collected on average 120 times more PAH mass than the pine needles. Source apportionment for filters and pine needles did not always agree. The filters indicated a stationary source (incinerators) with a mass ratio (202) of 0.52 or higher for the three months sampled. The pine needles indicated a mobile combustion sources such as cars and truck traffic for August and October with a mass ratio (178) of 0.08.</p><p>This presentation occurred at the Wright State University Campus-Wide Celebration of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities on April 16, 2010</p>