OBSERVATION OF ORGANIC ACIDS IN ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS IN THE ROME PROVINCE TERRITORY

Abstract

Congener distribution and seasonal variation of organic acids in aerosols colleted in downtown Rome and its outskirts have been investigated. Acetic and palmitic acids were the most abundant among short- and long-chain aliphatic acids, respectively. A different behaviour of the two groups has been observed, indicating that photochemical and vegetative sources were predominant in different periods of the year. In the outskirts of Rome the total content of n-alkanoic acids was equal or higher than in the city centre.

Keywords:

• Organic acids
• Aerosols
• Size-segregated particles
• Atmosphere
• Ion chromatography
• Capillary gas chromatography
• Mass spectrometry

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are indebted with dr. Patrizia Di Filippo (from DIPIA ISPESL, Rome, and Mr. Alessandro Brachetti, from IIA-CNR, Monterotondo Scalo RM, Italy, for samplings of atmospheric aerosols at both Villa Ada park and S. Maria Maggiore square sites in Rome.