Seasonal Variation of Volatile Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Released from Different Sources in South Cairo

Abstract

Based on a year-round data-set (from January to November 2014), an intensive air sampling program was conducted during 2014 in four different function sites in South El-Tabbin city to study the temporally and spatially characteristics of Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the gaseous and particulate phases. This area is considered as one of the most polluted areas in Egypt as it includes heavy industrial plants, as well as it is bounded by heavy traffic. A total of 48 atmospheric samples were collected by a high-volume active air sampler. The gaseous and particulate phases of PAHs were extracted and analyzed using Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry together. The total concentrations of the sixteen PAHs (which tagged the United States Environmental Protection Agency priority) in the air of the study area ranged from 76.48 ± 19.44 µg/m³ to 26995.86 ± 2835.91 µg/m³. The average PAHs concentration in the coke production site was ~ 355 times of that in the residential area site. For the whole study area; 4, 5, and 6 rings PAHs were dominant and accounting for ~66% – ~84%. The total concentrations of combustion derived PAHs were ranged from 63.24 ± 17.35 µg/m³ to 17546.97 ± 1848.55 µg/m³ covering 65% − 83% of total PAHs which indicating large amounts of combustion sources existed from them in South El-Tabbin city. Seasonal trends of PAHs concentrations were observed with a high concentration in winter and low in summer where the average concentration of PAHs in winter was ~1.6 times higher than that in summer.