title: Broad spectrum analysis of polar and apolar organic compounds in submicron atmospheric particles.
abstract: A method for the quantitative analysis of organic compounds on submicron particulate matter (PM1) collected on quartz filters was developed. The compounds analyzed encompassed C22-C35 alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), quinones, levoglucosan, cis-pinonic acid and short chain dicarboxylic acids such as malonic, succinic, glutaric, adipic, suberic, azelaic, malic and phthalic acids. The method included extraction with a pressure liquid extraction system, sample filtration though glass fibre filter, fractionation by high performance liquid chromatography and subsequent analysis by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The study of the extraction efficiency of different solvent mixtures showed that DCM:MeOH 1:1 was the one providing the highest recoveries for all compounds. Extraction temperatures of 100°C provided better results than 60°C or 80°C. This method provided comparable extraction efficiency and qualitative and quantitative data to those involving Soxhlet extraction. Method recoveries for alkanes, most PAH, quinones and polar compounds calculated from spiked real samples were 52-72%, 78-101%, 50-62% and 76-104%, respectively, reproducibilities were 2-28%, 7-29%, 10-27% and 5-28%, respectively, limits of quantification were 0.01-0.1ng/m(3), 0.01-0.27ng/m(3), 0.04ng/m(3) and 0.32-2.8ng/m(3), respectively, which affords the quantification of a broad number of primary and secondary organic constituents of submicron aerosols.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA), CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fontal
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA), CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Barend L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: van Drooge
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA), CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: López
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA), CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA), CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Electronic address: jgoqam@cid.csic.es.
authors.forename: Joan O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Grimalt
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000737:chemistry; D000473:Alkanes / Q000032:analysis; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000379:methods*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000473:Alkanes; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Atmospheric compounds; Levoglucosan; Organic acids; PM(1); Polar compounds; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Pressurized liquid extraction; Urban atmosphere