Nitro polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric particulate matter of Athens,Greece

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (N-PAHs) are chemical species of proven mutant and carcinogenic activity. In this study, the concentrations of seven different N-PAHs 2-nitronaphthalene (2N-NAP), 2-nitroflourene (2N-FLU), 2-nitroflouranthene (2N-FLA), 3-nitroflouranthene (3N-FLA), 1-nitropyrene (1N-PYR) and 2-nitropyrene (2N-PYR)] were determined in two fractions of atmospheric particulate matter from the atmosphere of Athens: coarse (2.4 μm?10 μm ) and fine (<2.4 μm ). 3N-FLA was not detected, whereas 1N-PYR, mostly originating from emissions from burning fuel, showed the maximum observed concentrations for both fractions and for the whole experimental period (especially during winter). In addition, 2N-FLA, a secondary nitro-PAH produced by photochemical reactions, showed relatively high values. Analysis of statistical data for N-PAH concentrations, using clustering technique, showed that: (1) 1N-NAP, 2N-FLU and 1N-PYR are mainly produced by direct burning; and (2) photochemical reactions are the dominant sources of 2N-NAP, 2N-PYR and 2N-FLA.