Seasonal Variations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Air Particulate Extracts

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons possess mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. The choice of proper methods for sample treatment and analysis to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment is of importance for ecotoxicological studies. Airborne particulates were collected in various seasons at the inner-city of Pécs in Hungary according to Hungarian Standards’ rules. The extracts from the particulates were analysed by LC equipped with a fluorescence detector and concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 US-EPA PAHs) were determined. The low and high molecular weight PAHs showed a significant difference in their appearance during the seasonal changes of the environment. By factor analysis we could differentiate two groups by correlating PAH concentrations. In group I (‘cold’ weather group) the relative ratios of anthracene, phenanthrene, dibenzo[ah]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, and chrysene showed similarity, while the patterns in group II (‘warm’ weather group) the relative ratios of anthracene, dibenzo[ah]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, fluorene, benzo[a]anthracene, and chrysene were similar.