C3---C10 hydrocarbons in the atmosphere of Athens, Greece

Fifty-seven C3---C10 paraffins, olefins and aromatics were identified and quantified in the atmosphere of Athens in samples collected in electropolished canisters in the early morning hours of summer months. Aliquots of air were cryocollected in glass beads and cryofocused prior to separation in a capillary column and analysed by GC-MS. The aromatic fraction predominates with maximum benzene and toluene concentrations of 19 and 39 ppbv, respectively. Through comparison with NMHC emission profiles of other cities, it is inferred that vehicle emissions and paint solvents are the two main sources of the observed NMHC.