Gas-particle partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the spring and summer in a suburban site near major traffic arteries

Concentrations of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were measured in a suburban site near major traffic arteries during the period April-August 2006. Total suspended particulate during the sampling period was 65.3 +/- 33.9 mu m(-3). Total PAH concentrations were 63.5 +/- 20.1 ng m(-3) in the gaseous phase and 1.4 +/- 0.3 ng m(-3) in the particulate phase. Observed concentrations were comparable with previously measured values reported in the literature for urban and suburban sites with a high anthropic influence. PAH concentration diagnostic ratios indicate that, during the spring and summer seasons, vehicular emission was the main source of atmospheric PAHs. Gas/particle partitioning coefficients K-P were well correlated with both the sub-cooled liquid vapor pressures p(L)(0) and the octanol-air partition coefficients K-OA. Measured K-P values were in a good agreement with KP values predicted by applying a literature model, which takes into account both adsorption onto black carbon and absorption into the organic matter.