Source resolution of fine particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using a receptor model modified for reactivity

Abstract

This paper provides source contribution estimates from vehicular and meat-cooking emissions to particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and elemental carbon (EC) concentrations measured at two Los Angeles sites during a field study in 1989. The source concentration matrix for PAH was based on new data for vehicular emissions and literature data for meat-cooking operations.The chemical massbalance (CMB 7.0) receptor model was used, and source profiles were modified to reflect reactive decay of PAH in the atmosphere. The calculations indicate that the Pico Rivera site was dominated by auto emissions, which account for more than 90 percent of all the PAH (except chrysene), carbon monoxide (CO), and 61 percent of the EC concentrations. In contrast, emissions from meat cooking contributed significantly (20 to 75 percent) to the concentrations of four-ring PAH measured at residential site at Upland. The five-rin andlarger PAH were attributed to auto emissions at Upland as well. © Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.