Use of semipermeable membrane devices for assessment of air quality in Tangier (Morocco)

Abstract

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) have been used for the evaluation of the contamination of air in both the urban and the industrial area in Tangier (Morocco). Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX), 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were monitored with SPMDs, deployed in six different sites, and determined by using a microwave-assisted extraction with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) clean up for PAHs and PCBs determination; and a head-space direct measurement for BTEX. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection was employed for the identification and quantification of the aforementioned pollutants. From the obtained results, it can be seen that the urban waste deposit and the industrial area of Moghogha present the highest concentrations of BTEX and PAHs, but significantly do not contribute to the contamination of air in the Tangier urban area. PCBs were not found in any of the sampled sites.

Keywords:

• SPMDs
• BTEX
• PAHs
• PCBs
• air contamination
• passive sampling

Acknowledgements

Authors acknowledge the financial support of Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional (AECI A/6023/06) and Universitat de Valencia (Acció Especial UV-AE-20070213). F.A. Esteve-Turrillas also acknowledges the financial support of the Generalitat Valenciana (APOSTD/07).