Particle phase concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmospheric environment of Jinámar, Gran Canaria

Abstract

Airborne concentrations of 8 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): fluoranthene, Flt, Pyrene, Pyr, benzo(a)anthracene, BaA, chrysene, Chr, benzo(b)fluoranthene + benzo(k)fluoranthene, B(b + k)F, benzo(a)pyrene, BaP and benzo(g,h,i)perylene, B(ghi)P, were measured in Jinamar, a small town on the island of Gran Canaria (Spain) during a 12 month period (January 1995-December 1995). Concentrations ranged between 0.613 ng m(-3) for B(ghi)P and 0.040 and 0.046 ng m(-3) for pyrene and chrysene. Except for BaA all PAHs occurred at lower concentrations at temperatures below 20 degreesC. Relative humidity seems to influence concentrations of pyrene, chrysene, benzo(b + k)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene, also affecting the latter in a different way to the other three hydrocarbons cited.