Original

Capillary GC of Indicator Compounds of Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Airborne Particulate Matter

Torsten Spitzer

Environmental, Industrial and Food Analysis, Postfach 1428, 38334 Helmstedt, Germany

Abstract:

Profiles of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are determined in several samples of urban airparticulate matter. The distribution of PACs in these samples is compared with their distribution in an emission profile from a combustion source. Cyclopenta(cd)pyrene, benzo(ghi) fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene are found to show largely variable ratios to benzo(e)pyrene and are used as indicator compounds for the degradation state of a mixture of PAHs from combustion sources. The validity of the method is demonstrated with the distribution profiles of PACs in samples of urban airparticulate matter. The effect of oxidative degradation on mutagenicity is being discussed.

Keywords: Cyclopenta(cd)pyrene, Benzo(ghi)fluoranthene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Degradation, PACs, PAHs

[Full Text PDF]