Characterization of atmospheric concentrations and partitioning of PAHs in the Chicago atmosphere

An intensive sampling program has been undertaken in the absence of precipitation at an urban site, Chicago, to characterize the atmospheric concentration and partitioning of PAHs. Two different sampling programs have been carried out with a large number of samples. Measured ambient concentrations of PAHs were classified as Land and Lake samples based on wind direction and back trajectory calculations. Differences in ambient concentrations of PAHs were observed between Land and Lake samples. The concentrations of PAHs when air originated over the Land were approximately two–four times higher than the concentrations measured when air originated over the Lake. It has been demonstrated that partitioning of PAHs shows a consistent difference between samples taken when wind came from off the land rather than off the water. This was most evident by more shallow slopes for Lake samples compared to the slopes for Land samples, when partition coefficient (Kp) is plotted on a log–log scale vs. the subcooled liquid vapor pressure (PL0). Experimentally, determined Kp values were compared with the results obtained using two different models, one based on absorption into aerosol organic matter and the other adsorption onto soot carbon. Experimental Kp values generally agreed well with the soot+octanol based model predictions.