Abstract
In this study, the ambient persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) concentrations were measured for 12 months at urban and semi-urban areas using the passive air sampler. During the sampling period, a total of 14 PAH (∑14PAH) concentrations measured in urban and semi-urban areas were found as 54.4 ± 22.6 ng/m3 and 51.7 ± 34.3 ng/m3, respectively. Molecular diagnostic ratios (MDRs) were used to determine PAH sources. According to the MDR values, combustion sources are the most important PAH sources in both sampling areas. However, since the urban area is close to the industrial zone, the combustion sources occurred at high temperatures (> 800 oC), while the semi-urban area generally consisted of burning petrogenic fuels. ∑50PCB concentrations measured in the urban and semi-urban areas were found as 522.5 ± 196.9 pg/m3 and 439.5 ± 166.6 pg/m3, respectively. Homologous group distributions were used to determine the source of PCBs. According to homologous group distributions, Tri-, Tetra-, and Penta- chlorinated PCBs were dominant in both sampling areas. ∑10OCP concentrations measured in urban and semi-urban areas were found as 242.5 ± 104.6 pg/m3 and 275.9 ± 130.9 pg/m3, respectively. Also, α-HCH/γ-HCH and β-/(α + γ)-HCH ratios were used to determine the source of OCPs. Lindane was the predominated OCP in both sampling areas.
Atmospheric concentration, temporal and spatial variations, and sources identification of persistent organic pollutants in urban and semi-urban areas using the passive air samplers
