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Degree

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, Chemistry, 2010.

Abstract

Samples of filters from High-volume (HiVol) samplers of particulate matter (PM) with a size of 10 micrometers or less were deployed for five months in Moraine and Yellow Springs, OH, by the Regional Air Protection Control Agency and analyzed for the Environmental Pollution Agency (EPA) 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Pine needles on trees near the HiVol samplers were also collected and analyzed for a comparison with the active samplers to estimate atmospheric PAH concentrations. Pine needles were found to collect lower molecular weight (LMW) compounds far more than HiVol sampler and thus their profiles shown to compliment the HiVol sampler profile which collect higher molecular weight (HMW) compounds. Concentrations for filters and Yellow Springs pine needles, except for Moraine pine needles, increased as the average temperature decreased. The atmospheric concentrations (ΣPAHatm) were calculated for the last ten PAHs that overlapped in the pine needle and filter profiles (Fluoranthene-Benzo(ghi)perylene). The ΣPAHatm calculated for Moraine ranged from 0.32 ng/m3 to 1.69 ng/m3 while Yellow Springs ranged from 0.32 ng/m3 to 4.16 ng/m3. These values are lower than expected especially for Moraine since there is industry nearby. PAH compounds from the pine needles were mostly associated with the vapor phase while the filters collected PAHs in the PM10 phase. Pine needles have been shown to be useful in showing the additional LMW PAHs present in the atmosphere which HiVol samplers fails to collect.

Subject Headings

Chemistry

Keywords

PAHS; PINE; PINE NEEDLES; µg/L; NEEDLES; Moraine; PAH concentrations

Committee / Advisors

Audrey McGowin, PhD (Advisor)
Steven Higgins, PhD (Committee Member)
Daniel Bombick, PhD (Committee Member)

Pages

94p.

Document number: wright1278966475
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=wright1278966475

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