Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on atmospheric aerosol particles of different sizes

The size distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aerosol samples collected with a Berner-type nine-stage cascade impactor was determined. Most of the PAHs were found on aerosol particles having aerodynamic diameter between 0.125 and 2 μm. Relationship between meteorological parameters and the size distribution of PAHs as well as the total PAH content of aerosol samples was investigated. Both the overall mass median diameter (MMD) and the total concentration of PAHs increased with decreasing ambient temperature.