DISTRIBUTION OF N-ALKANES AND PAHS IN ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS

The concentrations of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs) are determined in atmospheric aerosol samples collected at a rur al sampling site in Hungary. For the n-alkanes the chromatographic pro files are established and the average carbon number and carbon prefere nce index (CPI) are calculated. An attempt is made to obtain the origi n of n-alkanes found in atmospheric aerosol samples. Based on the resu lts of the measurements the probable importance of a round-the-year bi ogenic source for the n-alkanes with CPIs close to unity is emphasized . (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.