Source Apportionment of PM10-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Positive Matrix Factorization in Co´rdoba City, Argentina

AMARILLO, A.C.; MATEOS, A.C.; CARRERAS, H

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Springer

Año: 2017

The composition and concentration of polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on particlessmaller than 10 microns (PM10) were analyzed in an urbanarea during a 2-year period from August 2011 to August2013. Diagnostic ratios (DR) and positive matrix factorization(PMF) were employed to assess emission sources.To discount weather influence, a multiple linear regressionmodel was generated and also a photodecomposition indexwas calculated for each sample. Despite the fact that meanPM10 levels showed a similar pattern all around the year,majority of PAHs showed higher concentrations during thecold than the warm period, indicating a strong seasonalvariation. A 38% of PAHs variation could be explained bymeteorological variables, with wind speed, wind direction,and dew point being the significant regressor variables inthe model. The source apportionment of PAHs was performedusing PMF although they are photosensitive compounds.The sampling period was separated in warm andcold seasons according to a photodecomposition index andcold period was used. Also, DR were calculated. DR aswell as PMF analysis suggested that both gasoline anddiesel vehicular emissions are the main PAHs emissionsources in this urban area.