title: A simple methodological validation of the gas/particle fractionation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air.
abstract: The analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in ambient air requires the tedious experimental steps of both sampling and pretreatment (e.g., extraction or clean-up). To replace pre-existing conventional methods, a simple, rapid, and novel technique was developed to measure gas-particle fractionation of PAH in ambient air based on 'sorbent tube-thermal desorption-gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (ST-TD-GC-MS)'. The separate collection and analysis of ambient PAHs were achieved independently by two serially connected STs. The basic quality assurance confirmed good linearity, precision, and high sensitivity to eliminate the need for complicated pretreatment procedures with the detection limit (16 PAHs: 13.1 ± 7.04 pg). The analysis of real ambient PAH samples showed a clear fractionation between gas (two-three ringed PAHs) and particulate phases (five-six ringed PAHs). In contrast, for intermediate (four ringed) PAHs (fluoranthene, pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, and chrysene), a highly systematic/gradual fractionation was established. It thus suggests a promising role of ST-TD-GC-MS as measurement system in acquiring a reliable database of airborne PAH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Hyun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-Ro, Seoul 133-791, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002138:Calibration; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D057230:Limit of Detection; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005740:Gases; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons