Nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate matter in Dongguan

In this study, four nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Nitro-PAHs), 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF), 9-nitroanthracene(9-NA) and 3-nitrofluoranthene (3-NFI) were quantified in particulate matter collected at six different functional area sites in Dongguan, China, between December 2010 and April 2011. The results showed that concentration levels of nitro-PAHs at the heavy traffic site (DaLing Shan) were higher than those at other sites. Nitro-PAHs were lower in winter than those in spring. Other atmospheric constituents, such as O-3, NOx, NO2 were also recorded (not at all sampling sites) in order to investigate their correlations with nitro-PAHs concentrations. The results showed that 2-NF and 3-NFI were mostly presented positive correlation with NOx and NO2, but negative correlation with O-3. There was no significant correlation between 1-NP, 9-NA and the O-3, NOx and NO2.