Organic Compounds on PM 10 Particles in Air Pollution

Abstract

In Ružomberok (Slovakia) and its environs, PM10 air pollution was analysed in the winter and summer periods of 2015 in order to identify organic composition. In the winter months, a higher number of organic substances (536) was found than in summer (374); the concentrations of various organic substances were higher in winter. Organic compounds were determined in the samples of air pollution by pyrolysis chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Analysis showed that the higher concentrations of organic compounds in PM10 are the result of fossil fuel and biomass combustion. Apart from these sources, substances from transport, combustion and volatilization of polymers based on plastics, preparation and processing of food and biogenic (natural) contamination have been identified in air pollution. Biomass combustion was demonstrated using the diagnostic ratio levoglucosan/manosan. The average proportion of pollution produced by biomass combustion for the summer months is 4% and winter months 15%.