Determination of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric particulate and vapour phases in Oviedo, Spain, by GC-MS

A GC-MS procedure for the determination of hydrocarbons in air samples from Oviedo, Spain, was developed. Air hydrocarbons were sampled with a high vo lume sampler equipped with a holder containing a glass fiber filter, to tra p the particulate phase, and two polyurethane foams to capture hydrocarbons of the vapour phase. Compounds were extracted with CH2Cl2 by Soxhlet extra ction and then fractionated using column chromatography with alumina-silica . Analyses of the fractions were performed by GC-MS in the electron ionizat ion mode. PAHs and n-alkanes were the compounds examined in this work. Samp les collected in the vicinity of the Faculty of Chemistry (a semi-urban are a) were analysed. The total concentration of PAHs in the air samples analys ed ranged from 28 to 76 ng m(-3). The total concentration of n-alkanes and PAHs in the vapour phase exceeded the concentration in the particulate phas e in the samples analysed.