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Passive Sampling of Aromatic Hydrocarbons Toluene, Xylene and Ethylbenzene Using Activated Carbon Fabric in Ambient Air of Tehran
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Razieh Salehi   , Fatemeh Dadashian *  , Mohammad Abedi |
| Associate professor, Department of Textile Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Environmental Research Center of Amirkabir University of Technology, |
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Abstract: (2586 Views) |
Background & Objectives: Air pollution is one of the most important environmental problems in
large cities. Aromatic hydrocarbons as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been listed in
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) by Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA). The aim of this
study is Passive sampling and determination of aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs) toluene, xylene and
ethylbenzene using activated carbon fabric in ambient air of Tehran
Methods: Activated carbon fabric (ACF) was used as adsorbent for adsorption of aromatic
hydrocarbons. The chemical specifications of activated carbon fabric such as specific surface area and
pores volume were determined by nitrogen adsorption isotherm (BET method), the microscopic
images by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface functional groups by X-ray Photoelectron
Spectroscopy (XPS). Air sampling was achieved by passive samplers equipped with activated carbon
fabric in cylindrical holders at 8 different stations of Tehran. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry
(GC-MS) was used for determination of Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene after extraction in
CH2Cl2.
Results: The results showed activated carbon fabric is an efficient adsorbent for passive sampling of
aromatic hydrocarbons and at different stations the concentrations of Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and
Xylenes were determined. The results indicated that Javadiyeh station (Region 17) and Imam
Khomeini station (Region 10) were polluted than other stations, whereas at Chitgar station (Region
22), Sattari station (Region 5) and Tehran pars station (Region 8) had lower concentrations of AHs.
The good correlation between carbon monoxide and aromatic hydrocarbons concentrations in each
sampling station showed they have similar source of emission (cars). The concentration of these
pollutants is influenced by topography, wind direction and speed and the number of car passing
through different stations.
Conclusion: As the concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air are low using AFC in
passive sampler is an efficient method for sampling and adsorption of AHs and then their
determination. For this purpose it is necessary to exist special functional groups and especially oxygen
containing fuctional groups on the surface of carbon fabric. |
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| Keywords: Passive sampling, Activated carbon fabric, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Toluene and Xylene |
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Full-Text [PDF 765 kb]
(1590 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2019/03/18 | Accepted: 2019/03/18 | Published: 2019/03/18
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