Identification of emission sources of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the vicinity of the industrial zone of the city of Novi Sad

• Published in: Hemijska industrija Vol. 67; no. 2; pp. 337 - 348
• Main Authors: Jovčić Nataša S., Radonić Jelena R., Turk-Sekulić Maja M., Vojinović-Miloradov Mirjana B., Popov Srđan B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Association of Chemical Engineers of Serbia 2013
• Subjects: ambient concentrations; atmosphere; emission sources; particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• ISSN: 0367-598X
• DOI: 10.2298/HEMIND120113062J

Data on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air accessed at selected locations in the vicinity of the industrial zone of the city of Novi Sad, Serbia, have been presented and analyzed in order to determine seasonal and spatial variations and to identify emission sources of particle-bound PAHs. Previous studies have demonstrated that the major contributors of PAHs in urban areas are the emissions from vehicle exhaust, and emissions releases from industrial processes like aluminium production, creosote and wood preservation, waste incineration, cement manufacture, petrochemical and related industries, commercial heat/power production etc. The sampling campaigns have been conducted at three sampling sites, during the two 14-day periods. The first site was situated near industrial area, with a refinery, power plant and heavy-traffic road in the vicinity. The second site was located nearby the heavy traffic area, especially busy during the rush hour. The third site was residential district. Summer sampling period lasted from June 26th to July 10th 2008, while sampling of ambient air during the winter was undertaken from January 22nd to February 5th 2009. Eighty-four (84) air samples were collected using a high volume air sampler TCR Tecora H0649010/ECHO. 16 US EPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined in all samples using a gas chromatographer with a mass spectrometer as a detector (Shimatzu MDGC/GCMS-2010). The total average concentrations of PAHs ranged from 1.21 to 1.77 ng/m3 during the summer period and from 6.31 to 7.25 ng/m3 in the winter. Various techniques, including diagnostic ratio (DR) and principal component analysis (PCA), have been used to define and evaluate potential emission sources of PAHs. Diagnostic ratio analysis indicated that vehicles, diesel or/and gasoline, industrial and combustion emissions were sources of PAHs in the vicinity of the industrial zone. Additionally, principal component analysis was used to constrain the potential sources. The results showed that vehicles are the predominant source of particle-bound PAHs during the whole year, and stationary sources (thermal power and heating plant, oil refinery, individual furnaces) during the winter period.