Different collector types for sampling deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – comparison of measurement results and their uncertainty

Abstract

Different collector types, sample workup procedures and analysis methods to measure the deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were tested and compared. Whilst sample workup and analysis methods did not influence the results of PAH deposition measurements, using different collector types changed the measured deposition rates of PAH significantly. The results obtained with a funnel–bottle collector showed the highest deposition rates and a low measurement uncertainty. The deposition rates obtained with the wet-only collectors were the lowest at industrial sites and under dry weather conditions. For the open-jar collectors the measurement uncertainty was high. Only at an industrial site with extremely high PAH deposition rates the results of open-jar collectors were comparable to those obtained with funnel–bottle collectors. Thus, if bulk deposition of PAH has to be measured, funnel–bottle combinations are proved to be the collectors of choice. These collectors were the only ones always fulfilling the requirements of European legislation.