POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND IONIC SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICULATE MATTER IN AMBIENT AIR IN KOZANI CITY, GREECE, DURING COLD PERIOD

Air samples of coarse (PM10) and fine particles (PM 2 5) were collected in cold period in 2009 in Kozani, a city located in northwest Greece The area is characterized by intensive energy related activities, including coal burning at four power plants and the associated mining operations Particulate matter concentration, particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and anionic species concentrations were determined using gravimetrical, GC-MS and Ion Chromatography analysis, respectively The mean PM 10 and PM2 5 mass concentration were 31 and 25 mu g/m(3) respectively This study estimates the particulate PAHs concentration levels and their origin in the city, using diagnostic ratio and emission source profiles Also the concentration levels of the main anionic species associated with the particulate fraction of PM10 and PM2 5 are given for the first time for the city of Kozani In general, the results indicated that the air quality in the city of Kozani is mainly affected by urban sources, while the power plants seem to play a minor role