Collection and Identification of Trace Organic Compounds in Atmospheric Deposition from a Semi-Rural Site in the U.K.

Abstract

The collection of rainwater, aerosol and vapour samples at a semi-rural site in the UK was achieved using a PTFE-lined wet-only rainfall collector and a high-volume filter/adsorption trap air sampler, respectively. Analysis of atmospheric deposition revealed the presence of several hundred compounds, many of which were of anthropogenic origin, e.g.: PAH, phenols and alkylbenzenes. Amounts of compounds varied from low nanograms to tens of micrograms per litre in rainwater samples and from low picograms to high nanograms per cubic metre in aerosols. Phenolic compounds were the most abundant group of organics identified in rainwater and were present at total concentrations of >20μg1^?1 in some of the samples analysed. In the high-volume air samples most anthropogenic compounds were detected in the adsorbent rather than the filter extract. Seasonal variations in the PAH content of the adsorbent extracts were observed. The presence of siloxanes in the air samples was thought to be the result of contamination.