Gas/particle partitioning of PCDD/F compounds in the atmosphere of Istanbul

Gas/particle ratio of low and high chlorinated congeners showed a seasonal variation. Gas/particle partitioning of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) compounds in the ambient atmosphere were investigated at three different sites (urban-industrial, urban and sub-urban) in Istanbul. Average gas and particle phase concentrations were measured as 133fgm-3 and 1605fgm-3, respectively. Gas phase concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/furan (PCDD/F) compounds were determined to be 128fgm-3, 50fgm-3, 153fgm-3 during summer season and 204fgm-3, 164fgm-3, 154fgm-3 during winter season for the respective three sampling sites. Particle phase concentrations were determined to be 287fgm-3, 176fgm-3, 160fgm-3 during summer and 6586fgm-3, 2570fgm-3 and 1861fgm-3 during winter season for those three sampling sites. Chlorination level and molecular weight of congeners affected gas/particle partitioning of PCDD/F compounds. Gas phase percentages of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and OCDD concentrations were determined to be 47% and 1% respectively. A relatively high correlation was found between total particle matter (TPM) and particle phase PCDD/F concentration during winter season. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd