title: Direct analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cloud-water aerosol filtrates using laser desorption mass spectrometry.
abstract: A novel technique for the rapid screening of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric particulates is presented. Two-step laser desorption laser photoionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to assay for PAHs in cloud-water particulates collected near Peebles in southern Scotland. The particulates were examined in situ on their host filters removing the requirement for time-consuming sample extraction and separation. The mass spectra obtained from a single filter are shown. The principal components of these are assigned to PAH contaminants and phthalate contaminants. A distribution of PAHs was observed using 193 nm laser photoionisation. The mass spectrum obtained on using 248 nm laser photoionisation exhibits a different intensity distribution demonstrating an ionisation wavelength dependence. The utility of the technique for rapid screening of PAHs and other polyaromatic species is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, UK, EH9 3JJ.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Costello
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Langridge-Smith
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Cape