Elsevier

Atmospheric Environment

Volume 40, Issue 21, July 2006, Pages 3995-4003
Atmospheric Environment

Ambient air pollution by aromatic hydrocarbons in Algiers

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2006.02.033Get rights and content

Abstract

The analysis of the C6–C16 semi-volatile organic compounds reveals the presence of numerous aromatic hydrocarbons in the ambient air of Algiers. Three representative sites were chosen for sample collection at roadside, urban background and semi-rural areas. The following major monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were found: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, (m, p)- and o-xylene, also referred to as BTEX. Near the road traffic, benzene and toluene mean concentrations were 27 and 39 μg m−3, respectively, with benzene concentration values higher than 40 μg m−3 often observed. At the urban site, the benzene concentration often exceeds the European regulatory limit of 10 μg m−3 while the compositional ratios of toluene to benzene and (mp) xylene to ethylbenzene are within the typical range of values observed in urban atmospheres worldwide. The seasonal variation indicates a decrease in concentration during summer of the reactive o-xylene compound. It is suggested that Algiers’ source of high-level air pollution by aromatic hydrocarbons is related to car traffic emissions.

Section snippets

Background

Aromatic hydrocarbons represent a significant fraction of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in urban atmospheres by road traffic (Bailey and Eggleston, 1993; Singh et al., 1992; Zielinska et al., 1996; Seila et al., 1989). The use of unleaded gasoline, which is rich in aromatic hydrocarbons, has increased worldwide and the monitoring of these hydrocarbons in urban area has become an important issue. Monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAH) like benzene have been a prime target for

Sampling sites

In order to investigate the spatial distribution of VOCs, especially the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, (m, p)-and o-xylene (BTEX) compounds, in different areas, three sampling sites have been selected based on their population number and car traffic flow. Two sites (S1 and S2) are located in Algiers city and the third one (S3) is in the suburbs of Algiers. The sampling site S1 is located in the city centre near a busy street canyon, Boulevard Colonel Amirouche, where high car traffic and

VOCs in ambient air in Algiers city

VOC's analysis made on data collected during the first measurement campaign (1996) revealed a total of 47 semi-volatile compounds (Table 1). MAH species are the most abundant hydrocarbons whereas toluene is the major compound in all measured samples. This composition is typical of ambient air in urban settings; however, the analysis of concentrations shows important differences between compounds in the same sample and large differences between compounds concentration in Algiers as compared to

Conclusion

Analysis of ambient air samples at three sites in Algiers city reveals the presence of 47 semi-volatile compounds C6–C16 with a large number of aromatic species. The BTEX concentration levels in ambient air are mainly influenced by the road traffic. At roadside, the benzene and toluene average concentrations are 27 and 39 μg m−3, respectively. The BTEX average concentrations are generally two to three times higher than those measured in urban background area. The benzene to toluene and (mp)

Acknowledgements

This project has been funded by the Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique (MESRS) of the government of Algeria.

References (37)

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