Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) in Merida, Mexico
Abstract This study focuses on the air quality evaluation of Merida, a medium-size city located in the Yucatan Peninsula with a significant population growth in recent years. Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) were quantified with a real time sensor during a six-month period dur...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.200245 |
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| author | Harry Alvarez-Ospina Sofia Giordano Luis A. Ladino Graciela B. Raga Joshua I. Muñoz-Salazar Martha Leyte-Lugo Daniel Rosas Giovanni Carabali |
| author_facet | Harry Alvarez-Ospina Sofia Giordano Luis A. Ladino Graciela B. Raga Joshua I. Muñoz-Salazar Martha Leyte-Lugo Daniel Rosas Giovanni Carabali |
| author_sort | Harry Alvarez-Ospina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study focuses on the air quality evaluation of Merida, a medium-size city located in the Yucatan Peninsula with a significant population growth in recent years. Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) were quantified with a real time sensor during a six-month period during the dry season (October 2017 to March 2018). The pPAHs diurnal and monthly characteristics, as well as their potential sources were determined. The total pPAHs concentrations ranged from 7 ng m−3 to 170 ng m−3, with an average value of 19 ± 11 ng m−3. A seasonal trend was observed, albeit not complete, indicating that pPAHs concentrations were higher during the colder months (October through January) than in February and March. The diurnal cycle showed a bimodal behavior similar to those found for carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and black carbon (BC) (estimated from absorption coefficient), indicating that burning of fossil fuels from vehicular traffic is the likely source of the pPAHs emitted in Merida. Moreover, atypical nocturnal values were observed, where the high pPAHs concentration could be associated with the burning of solid waste. The average pPAHs concentration obtained in this study (19 ± 11 ng m−3) were found to be lower than the values measured in two other sites in Mexico City (32 ng m−3 and 50 ng m−3), Boston (29 ng m−3), Los Angeles (88.3 ng m−3) and Quito (220 ng m−3). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3e87f7371c31496d873a9f79b48fdaab |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-3e87f7371c31496d873a9f79b48fdaab2025-02-09T12:20:05ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092020-12-0121311410.4209/aaqr.200245Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) in Merida, MexicoHarry Alvarez-Ospina0Sofia Giordano1Luis A. Ladino2Graciela B. Raga3Joshua I. Muñoz-Salazar4Martha Leyte-Lugo5Daniel Rosas6Giovanni Carabali7Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoFacultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCentro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCentro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoFacultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCatedrática CONACYT Comisionada a la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-XochimilcoFacultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de YucatánInstituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoAbstract This study focuses on the air quality evaluation of Merida, a medium-size city located in the Yucatan Peninsula with a significant population growth in recent years. Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) were quantified with a real time sensor during a six-month period during the dry season (October 2017 to March 2018). The pPAHs diurnal and monthly characteristics, as well as their potential sources were determined. The total pPAHs concentrations ranged from 7 ng m−3 to 170 ng m−3, with an average value of 19 ± 11 ng m−3. A seasonal trend was observed, albeit not complete, indicating that pPAHs concentrations were higher during the colder months (October through January) than in February and March. The diurnal cycle showed a bimodal behavior similar to those found for carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and black carbon (BC) (estimated from absorption coefficient), indicating that burning of fossil fuels from vehicular traffic is the likely source of the pPAHs emitted in Merida. Moreover, atypical nocturnal values were observed, where the high pPAHs concentration could be associated with the burning of solid waste. The average pPAHs concentration obtained in this study (19 ± 11 ng m−3) were found to be lower than the values measured in two other sites in Mexico City (32 ng m−3 and 50 ng m−3), Boston (29 ng m−3), Los Angeles (88.3 ng m−3) and Quito (220 ng m−3).https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.200245Air pollutionAerosol particlesPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsPhotoelectric aerosol sensor |
| spellingShingle | Harry Alvarez-Ospina Sofia Giordano Luis A. Ladino Graciela B. Raga Joshua I. Muñoz-Salazar Martha Leyte-Lugo Daniel Rosas Giovanni Carabali Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) in Merida, Mexico Aerosol and Air Quality Research Air pollution Aerosol particles Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Photoelectric aerosol sensor |
| title | Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) in Merida, Mexico |
| title_full | Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) in Merida, Mexico |
| title_fullStr | Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) in Merida, Mexico |
| title_full_unstemmed | Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) in Merida, Mexico |
| title_short | Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (pPAHs) in Merida, Mexico |
| title_sort | particle bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ppahs in merida mexico |
| topic | Air pollution Aerosol particles Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Photoelectric aerosol sensor |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.200245 |
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