Meteorological Influence on Ambient PAH in Abetifi, Ghana

Résumé fourni par la source

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants whose concentration in the environment are subject to various environmental factors.In this study, the effect of meteorology (wind speed, temperature and solar hours) on levels of ambient PAH from a mountainous environment, Abetifi in Ghana was evaluated.Samples were collected every 28days for a period of two-years by employing passive air sampling (PAS) method with polyurethane foam (PUF) as adsorbent.Mean concentrations of the PAH (Σ16PAHs) recorded in ambient air at Abetifi ranged from below limit of quantification to 8.434 ng/m 3 with the most abundant PAH identified to be naphthalene followed by phenantrene and fluoranthene.Positive relationship exists between PAH levels and some meteorological factors.Moderately significant seasonal variations exist.Influence on total Σ16 PAH concentration showed wind speed (36%), temperature (32%), humidity (27%) and solar hours (23%).The effect of rainfall pattern revealed an influence of precipitation scavenging.Solar hours showed 11% influence on photo-oxidation.

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