Seasonal Gradient Patterns of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Particulate Matter Concentrations near a Highway

Atmosphere

Kyung Hwa Jung¹  Francisco Artigas¹ 

[1] New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, 1 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA; E-Mails:

关键词: horizontal gradient;    seasonal effects;    nonvolatile PAHs;    particulate matter;    traffic emissions;    day-of-the-week;   

DOI  :  10.3390/atmos2030533

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Close proximity to roadways has been associated with higher exposure to traffic-related air pollutants. However, analyses of the effects of season and meteorological parameters on horizontal gradient patterns of traffic-generated air pollutants still need to be elucidated. Our objectives were to: (1) determine effects of season on horizontal gradient patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total suspended particles (TSP), and PM_2.5 near a heavily trafficked highway; and (2) examine the effect of day-of-the-week variations (weekday versus weekend) associated with traffic counts on measured airborne-contaminant levels. PAHs (Σ₈^PAHs [MW 228–278]; gas + particulate), TSP and PM_2.5 were monitored at nominal distances (50, 100, and 150 m) from the New Jersey Turnpike every 6 days for periods of 24 h, between September 2007 and September 2008. Seasonal variations in the horizontal gradient patterns of Σ₈^PAHs were observed. In the summer, Σ₈^PAHs declined significantly between 50–100 m from the highway (23% decrease), but not between the furthermost distances (100–150 m). An inverse pattern was observed in the winter: Σ₈^PAHs declined between 100–150 m (26% decrease), but not between the closest distances. Σ₈^PAHs and TSP, but not PM_2.5, concentrations measured on weekends were 12–37% lower than those on weekdays, respectively, corresponding to lower diesel traffic volume. This study suggests that people living in the close proximity to highways may be exposed to varying levels of Σ₈^PAHs, TSP, and PM_2.5 depending on distance to highway, season, and day-of-the-week variations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.