A preliminary study on ambient levels of carbonyls, benzene, toluene and xylene in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula (Huelva coast), Spain

Abstract

We report the first observations of volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations, including aldehydes, in the coastal, industrial area of Huelva near the Doñana National Park (south-west of the Iberian Peninsula). The periods studied were July–September 2008 and February–November 2009. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, propanal, benzene, toluene and m/p-xylenes were identified and quantified. Acetone and formaldehyde were the most abundant carbonyls, followed by acetaldehyde and propanal. Maximum and minimum values for all these compounds in the period of measurement, and their relationship with meteorological parameters or influence of anthropogenic or biogenic emissions, are analysed. Finally, different concentration ratios and correlations were calculated to assess the effect of the anthropogenic or biogenic processes on the observed VOC levels.

Keywords:

• air quality
• aldehydes
• volatile organic compounds
• pollution
• passive methods

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (project PCI08-0123-0381) for their financial support of this study.