Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fine and coarse particles

About 140 samplings of fine and coarse particles were gathered during the year 2006 in Kozani that represent an urban area surrounded by opencast coal mining. A low volume dichotomus sampler has been used to trap suspended particles. The filters used were teflon, which are ideal for analysis in the determination of PAHs. The determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been carried out by the use of the analytic technique of large volume injection and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (LVI - GC/MS). The extraction of substances has been made in a two stage procedure, firstly with agitation in a magnetic shaker and secondly by the use of ultrasonic bath. This technique has given high recoveries of PAHs, in short time intervals. The mean daily concentrations of fine particles varied from 4 to 48 μg m-3 and annual mean was 16 μg m-3. The mean daily concentrations of coarse particles respectively varied from 2 to 67 μg m-3 with 23 μg m-3 annual mean concentration. The ΣPAH concentrations for fine samples were 4.80 ± 7.06 ng m-3 and for coarse samples were 1.36 ± 1.59 ng m-3. The mean B[a]Py concentration for fine particles was 0.38 ng m-3. Finally, diagnostic ratios were used to characterize and identify PAHs emission source in this study.