Distribution of n-alkanes and PAHs in atmospheric aerosols

The concentrations of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are determined in atmospheric aerosol samples collected at a rural sampling site in Hungary. For the n-alkanes the chromatographic profiles are established and the average carbon number and carbon preference index (CPI) are calculated. An attempt is made to obtain the origin of n-alkanes found in atmospheric aerosol samples. Based on the results of the measurements the probable importance of a round-the-year biogenic source for the n-alkanes with CPIs close to unity is emphasized.