Multivariate Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds in Suspended Particulate

Abstract

The monitoring of air quality today provides a number of parameter values measured as a function of time. In the urban atmosphere, and especially in the particulates, increasing importance is being given to the presence of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC), particularly since some are known to be carcinogenic. As the number of measured parameters increases, examining the data and their consequent interpretation becomes more difficult. To overcome such difficulties, numerous statistical techniques have been introduced in chemistry, such as Multivariate Data Analysis (MVDA): Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR). The first technique has been applied in this work to the interpretation of the quality of Augusta (Siracusa, Italy) urban air by measuring the concentration of numerous PAC in the particulates in different sites and at different times. The MVDA has highlighted the similarity between various sampling sites whose data were initially thought to be different. Furthermore, it has allowed a choice of more significant parameters for future PAC monitoring and more suitable sampling site locations.

Key Words:

• Nitro-PAH
• Air quality
• Principal Component Analysis