Full metadata
Title
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Particulate Matter in Tempe Arizona
Description
ABSTRACT
Tempe, Arizona can experience high atmospheric particulate matter episodes, both in winter and in summer. In summer, such events might be due to dust storms or wildfires, while in the wintertime, domestic wood burning (fireplaces and heating) tends to be a major contributor. In this study, it was investigated that the particulate matter concentrations and composition for select summertime and wintertime events in Tempe, expected to have high concentrations and possibly biomass burning impacts. Summertime concentrations on the selected days were low except for a dust storm event. In the winter events, across the New Year holiday, concentrations were substantial, especially on New Year's morning because of the fireworks, although precipitation impacted the concentrations. Chemical analysis of bulk organic (OC) and elemental (EC) carbon shows a high ratio of OC/EC, indicative of substantial secondary organic aerosol contributions or biomass burning. Investigation of biomass burning specific molecular markers, such as levoglucosan, using gas chromatography mass spectrometry, showed detectable concentrations during wintertime, confirming wood burning as a significant source of atmospheric particulate matter. In summer, levoglucosan was detected but during the times investigated, wood smoke was not a dominant source of particulate matter. Finally, particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) of burning origin were also investigated because of their toxicity. PAH concentrations showed a clear dependence of temperature with lower molecular weighted (LMW) PAHs being less abundant in the summertime in the particulate matter because of their volatility. The use of diagnostic PAH ratios confirmed the importance of combustion sources for the PAH albeit different ones in summer compared to winter events.
Date Created
2024
Contributors
- Abel, Parker Stephen (Author)
- Herckes, Pierre (Thesis advisor)
- Xu, Jie (Committee member)
- Fraser, Matthew (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
53 pages
Language
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.2.N.193481
Level of coding
minimal
Cataloging Standards
Note
Partial requirement for: M.S., Arizona State University, 2024
Field of study: Chemistry
System Created
- 2024-05-02 01:45:35
System Modified
- 2024-05-02 01:45:42
- 4 months 2 weeks ago
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