Methodology for the extraction, clean-up and quantification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in urban particulate matter Metodología para la extracción, fraccionamiento y cuantificación de hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos presentes en material par

A reliable methodology for identification and quantification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric aerosols has been developed, using extraction with dichloromethane, a clean-up step for purification and fractionation of the sample compounds on a silica column and quantification by GC-MSD. The percentage of recovery for the analytical procedure was 61-113%, depending on each PAH. The analytical protocol, introducing a significant economy of time and reagents, was applied to the quantification of PAHs in urban atmospheric aerosols PM10 samples, collected in Santiago de Chile city, between october and november of 1999

PM2.5 aerosols collected in the Antarctic Peninsula with a solar powered sampler during austral summer periods

Collection of PM2.5 particles was carried out in Antarctica in the summer periods of years 2006 and 2007 using solar panels to operate the sampling unit. The unit was installed 2.5 km from the B. O'Higgins Chilean base to avoid possible air contamination from oil or gas burning electric power stations. The aerosols were analyzed by XRF identifying twenty elements between Na and Sr. Results showed the presence of elements of typical Earth crust and seawater origins. In addition, considerable amounts of non-sea sulfur together with traces of Pb and Se from probable long distant anthropogenic activities were observed. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Magnetic and elemental characterization of the particulate matter deposited on leaves of urban trees in Santiago, Chile

International audienc

Selected elements in surface waters of Antarctica and their relations with the natural environment

The aim of the study was to specify the concentration of selected chemical elements in surface waters of King George Island, off the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The research encompassed six streams, a lake and an artificial water reservoir located on the western coast of Admiralty Bay. Measured hydrochemical parameters included pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total and dissolved forms elements such as Al, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn, Fe, As and Se. The values of pH, conductivity and TDS had the following ranges: 6.09–8.21, 6.0–875 µS cm−1 and 7.0–975 mg/L, respectively, and were typical for surface waters of Antarctica. Wide disparities were discovered regarding concentrations of the investigated elements, ranging from <0.01 µg/L for Cd to 510 µg/L for Fe, and differing from one water body to another. The investigated elements are discussed with reference to environmental conditions and anthropogenic factors. Concentrations of total and dissolved forms of elements are considered in connection with the composition of soil in their surroundings and with atmospheric deposition, mostly such as that took place locally. The increased levels of Pb and Zn concentrations in the immediate proximity of a research station suggested anthropogenic contamination