Source apportionment of PAHs and n-alkanes bound to PM 1 collected near the Venice highway

• Published in: Journal of environmental sciences (China) Vol. 54; pp. 77 - 89
• Main Authors: Valotto, Gabrio, Rampazzo, Giancarlo, Gonella, Francesco, Formenton, Gianni, Ficotto, Silvia, Giraldo, Giorgia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01-04-2017
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Alkanes - analysis; Environmental Monitoring; Italy; Particulate Matter - analysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Vehicle Emissions - analysis; PAHs; n-Alkanes; Diesel; PM; Biomass burning; Gasoline
• ISSN: 1001-0742
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2016.05.025

n-Alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to atmospheric particulate matter (PM
) were investigated in a traffic site located in an urban area of Venice Province (Eastern Po Valley, Italy) during the cold season. Considering the critical situation affecting the Veneto Region concerning the atmospheric pollution and the general lack of information on PM
composition and emission in this area, this experimental study aims at determining the source profile, their relative contributions and the dispersion of finer particles. Four sources were identified and quantified using the Positive Matrix Factorization receptor model: (1) mixed combustions related to the residential activities, (2) agricultural biomass burning in addition to the resuspension of anthropogenic and natural debris carried by the wind, (3) gasoline and (4) diesel traffic-related combustions. The role of local atmospheric circulation was also investigated to identify the pollutant sources.