Biogenic and anthropogenic organic compounds in rain and snow samples collected in southern california

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Abstract

Ten rainwater and snow samples were collected from the Los Angeles area and its vicinity (semirural and rural areas) in S California. The samples were studied for various types of solvent-extractable organic compounds, including n-alkanes, UCM hydrocarbons, PAHs, FAs, benzoic acids and phenols. (See Table 1 for definition of acronyms.)

In rural (mountain) snow samples, the major identifiable species are odd-carbon-numbered n-alkanesin the C17–C35 range and even-carbon-numbered FAs in the C12–C30 range, which are both of biogenic origin. On the other hand, Los Angeles urban rain samples contain abundant phenols, benzoic acids and UCM, which are considered to originate from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels mostly in automobile, as well as biogenic FAs. The results indicate that in urban areas, anthropogenic sources are the most important factor controlling the organic chemistry of rainwater, whereas biogenic sources are a minor contributor.

Several indices are discussed for evaluating the anthropogenic/biogenic contribution to organic matter in wet deposition. The CPI of n-alkanes, UCM/n-alkanes ratio, phenols/C12–C30 FA ratio, benzoic acids/C12–C30 FA ratio, UCM/C12–C30FA ratio and PAH/C12–C30 FA ratio change drastically from rural to urban areas, indicating that they are useful indicators.

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