Particle-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons near power plants as determined by large volume injection--GC/MS.

PM(10) and PM(2.5) samples were collected at two locations in the heavy industrialized prefecture of Kozani, in North-western Greece; in the open-cast mines of Klitos area and in the urban area of city of Kozani. The samples were collected by the use of low volume samplers, for a period of 1 year every 6 d. An analytical method has been adapted for determining 16 particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM(10) and PM(2.5). Samples were collected on poly-tetra-fluorinated-ethylene (PTFE) filters using low volume samplers, considered to be ideal for trapping various organic pollutants including PAHs. The extraction has been made in two stages. Firstly, by reflux and then by using ultrasound bath. Chromatographic analysis has been carried out by GC/MS with programmable temperature vaporizers (PTV) injector and large volume injection (LVI) technique. Mean daily concentrations of B[a]Py in PM(10)-bound particles were 0.57 ng m(-3) in Kozani and 0.58 ng m(-3) at Klitos, while in PM(2.5)-bound PAHs were 0.35 ng m(-3) and 0.30 ng m(-3) respectively. We were able to verify the sources of PAHs by the use of diagnostic ratios, which indicate oil or/and coal burning as the, possible, major PAHs pollutant source(s). Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.