Fine particulate phase PAHs in ambient atmosphere of Chennai metropolitan city, India.
BACKGROUND
Airborne fine particulates (PM 2.5) and its associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are reportedly hazardous in urban environment due to the presence of multiple emission sources.


METHODS
In this study, fine particulates collected from fourth largest metropolitan city of India, Chennai, were extracted and analyzed for 11 PAHs by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a fluorescence detector.


RESULTS
PM 2.5 values varied between 27.2 and 190.2 μg/m(3), while average concentration of particle-associated PAHs determined was in the range from 325.7 to 790.8 ng/m(3), which signaled an alarming pollution level in Chennai.


CONCLUSIONS
Factor analysis suggested vehicular emissions inclusive of petrol- and diesel-driven engines as probable sources.
Department of Environmental Management, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil, Nadu, India. mohan.bdu@gmail.com
Rangaswamy
R
Mohanraj
Govindaraj
G
Solaraj
Selvaraj
S
Dhanakumar
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry*; D007194:India; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000737:chemistry*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis*; D014887:Weather
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D001335:Vehicle Emissions