title: Molecular, seasonal, and spatial distributions of organic aerosols from fourteen Chinese cities.
abstract: Organic aerosols were studied at the molecular level in 14 coastal and inland mega-cities in China during winter and summer 2003. They are characterized by the abundant presence of n-alkanes (annual average, 340 ng m(-3)), fatty acids (769 ng m(-3)), sugars (412 ng m(-3)), and phthalates (387 ng m(-3)). In contrast, fatty alcohols, polyols/polyacids, lignin and resin products, sterols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and hopanes were detected as relatively minor components. n-Alkanes show a weak odd/even carbon predominance (CPI = 1.1) and PAHs show a predominance of benzo(b)fluoranthene, suggesting a serious contribution from fossil fuel (mainly coal) combustion. Their concentrations (except for phthalates and polyols/polyacids) were 2-15 times higher in winter than summer due to a significant usage of coal burning and an enhancement of atmospheric inversion layers. Phthalates were found to be more abundant in summer than winter, probably due to enhanced vaporization from plastics followed by adsorptive deposition on the pre-existing particles. Concentrations of total quantified compounds are extremely high (approximately 10 microg m(-3)) in the midwest (Chongqing and Xi'an) where active industrialization/urbanization is going on. This study shows that concentrations of the compounds detected are 1-3 orders of magnitude higher than those reported from developed countries.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Low-Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 19, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0819, Japan.
authors.forename: Gehui
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kimitaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: Shuncheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kinfai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D000473:Alkanes / Q000032:analysis; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002681:China; D002947:Cities; D020770:Compomers / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000032:analysis; D008031:Lignin / Q000032:analysis; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D013261:Sterols / Q000032:analysis; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D000473:Alkanes; D002241:Carbohydrates; D020770:Compomers; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D052638:Particulate Matter; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D011108:Polymers; D012116:Resins, Plant; D013261:Sterols; D014315:Triterpenes; C024617:polyol; C025206:hopane; C032279:phthalic acid; D008031:Lignin