Application of passive sampling technique in monitoring research on quality of atmospheric air in the area of Tczew, Poland

Abstract

This paper presents the results of atmospheric air quality research in Tczew (adjacent to the Vistula River) on the content of BTEX compounds. procedure applied during the sampling of the analytes from the air used the passive sampling technique (diffusive passive sampler, Radiello^®). For determination of BTEX compounds in atmospheric air, two-stage thermal desorption technique combined with gas chromatography (TD-GC-FID) was applied.

Research was conducted from March to December 2011. The annual average concentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and total xylenes determined in atmospheric air for the monitoring period were: 0.87 μg m^–3, 2.9 μg m^–3, 1.3 μg m^–3 and 5.9 μg m^–3, respectively. In order to pre-identify potential sources of emissions of BTEX compounds, statistical analysis was carried out. This determined interactions between specified concentration levels of BTEX compounds in atmospheric air for the monitored area.

Keywords:

• urban air monitoring
• atmospheric air quality
• BTEX compounds
• passive sampling technique
• Radiello^® diffusive passive sampler

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Agency of Regional Air Quality Monitoring Foundation in the Gdansk Metropolitan Area (ARMAAG Foundation) for access to the monitoring stations, and to Michalina Bielawska for providing meteorological data during the monitoring operations.