Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean Area
The chemical characterization of aerosols, especially fine organic fraction, is a relevant atmospheric challenge because their composition highly depends on localization. Herein, we studied the concentration of multi-oxygenated organic compounds in the western Mediterranean area, focusing on sources...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/1/94 |
| _version_ | 1797413733498093568 |
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| author | Esther Borrás Luis Antonio Tortajada-Genaro Francisco Sanz Amalia Muñoz |
| author_facet | Esther Borrás Luis Antonio Tortajada-Genaro Francisco Sanz Amalia Muñoz |
| author_sort | Esther Borrás |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The chemical characterization of aerosols, especially fine organic fraction, is a relevant atmospheric challenge because their composition highly depends on localization. Herein, we studied the concentration of multi-oxygenated organic compounds in the western Mediterranean area, focusing on sources and the effect of air patterns. The organic aerosol fraction ranged 3–22% of the total organic mass in particulate matter (PM)<sub>2.5</sub>. Seventy multi-oxygenated organic pollutants were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, including n-alkanones, n-alcohols, anhydrosugars, monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and keto-derivatives. The highest concentrations were found for carboxylic acids, such as linoleic acid, tetradecanoic acid and, palmitic acid. Biomarkers for vegetation sources, such as levoglucosan and some fatty acids were detected at most locations. In addition, carboxylic acids from anthropogenic sources—mainly traffic and cooking—have been identified. The results indicate that the organic PM fraction in this region is formed mainly from biogenic pollutants, emitted directly by vegetation, and from the degradation products of anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic pollutants. Moreover, the chemical profile suggested that this area is interesting for aerosol studies because several processes such as local costal breezes, industrial emissions, and desert intrusions affect fine PM composition. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:22:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e980ed32fd2e427f995d1c4494ca243d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:22:41Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-e980ed32fd2e427f995d1c4494ca243d2023-12-03T12:39:31ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332021-01-011219410.3390/atmos12010094Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean AreaEsther Borrás0Luis Antonio Tortajada-Genaro1Francisco Sanz2Amalia Muñoz3Fundación Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Mediterráneo (CEAM), 46980 Valencia, SpainInstituto de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnológico, Departamento Química, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, SpainFundación Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Mediterráneo (CEAM), 46980 Valencia, SpainFundación Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Mediterráneo (CEAM), 46980 Valencia, SpainThe chemical characterization of aerosols, especially fine organic fraction, is a relevant atmospheric challenge because their composition highly depends on localization. Herein, we studied the concentration of multi-oxygenated organic compounds in the western Mediterranean area, focusing on sources and the effect of air patterns. The organic aerosol fraction ranged 3–22% of the total organic mass in particulate matter (PM)<sub>2.5</sub>. Seventy multi-oxygenated organic pollutants were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, including n-alkanones, n-alcohols, anhydrosugars, monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and keto-derivatives. The highest concentrations were found for carboxylic acids, such as linoleic acid, tetradecanoic acid and, palmitic acid. Biomarkers for vegetation sources, such as levoglucosan and some fatty acids were detected at most locations. In addition, carboxylic acids from anthropogenic sources—mainly traffic and cooking—have been identified. The results indicate that the organic PM fraction in this region is formed mainly from biogenic pollutants, emitted directly by vegetation, and from the degradation products of anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic pollutants. Moreover, the chemical profile suggested that this area is interesting for aerosol studies because several processes such as local costal breezes, industrial emissions, and desert intrusions affect fine PM composition.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/1/94atmospheric aerosolchemical characterization of particulate mattermulti-oxygenated compoundssource apportionment |
| spellingShingle | Esther Borrás Luis Antonio Tortajada-Genaro Francisco Sanz Amalia Muñoz Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean Area Atmosphere atmospheric aerosol chemical characterization of particulate matter multi-oxygenated compounds source apportionment |
| title | Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean Area |
| title_full | Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean Area |
| title_fullStr | Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean Area |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean Area |
| title_short | Multi-Oxygenated Organic Compounds in Fine Particulate Matter Collected in the Western Mediterranean Area |
| title_sort | multi oxygenated organic compounds in fine particulate matter collected in the western mediterranean area |
| topic | atmospheric aerosol chemical characterization of particulate matter multi-oxygenated compounds source apportionment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/1/94 |
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