Organic matter of the troposphere—IV. Lipids in harmattan aerosols of nigeria

Characterisation of solvent extractable organic constituents in atmospheric particulate matter: an overview

“…For aerosol samples from Nigeria, an inverted ordering was encountered, where the pattern C 29 >C 27 >C 28 was evident. This distribution correlated with the predominance of wax components from the Nigerian and desert vegetation and also from grass (Simoneit et al 1988). The Nigerian phytosterol pattern coincides with that of aerosol samples and composites from the Amazon region (Simoneit et al 1990).…”

“…The knowledge gained through testing experimental procedures began to be applied to the detailed characterisation of aerosols emitted by specific sources or activities, such as volcanic eruptions (Pereira et al 1982), meat cooking operations , Kleeman et al 1999, Rogge et al 1991, Schauer et al 1999a, road dust and tire debris (Rogge et al 1993a), particulate abrasion products from leaf surfaces of urban plants Simoneit 1994, Rogge et al 1993b), home boilers , Rogge et al 1993c, 1997a, hot asphalt roofing tar plot plumes (Rogge et al 1997b), biomass burning (Abas et al 1995, Duan et al 2004, Elias et al 1997, Fang et al 1999, Fine et al 2001, b, 2004a, Jayaratne and Verna 2001, Jordan et al 2006, Kleeman et al 1999, Oros and Simoneit 2001a, b, Rogge et al 1998, Simoneit 2002, Simoneit and Elias 2001, Simoneit et al 1993, Standley and Simoneit 1994, motorised vehicles (Fraser et al 1999, Rogge et al 1993d, Schauer et al 1999b, Simoneit 1984, tobacco smoke (Kavouras et al 1998a, Kleeman et al 1999, Morrical and Zenobi 2002, Rogge et al 1994, coal-fired power station (Santos et al 2004), waste landfill (Yassaa et al 2001a) and eolian transport of vegetal detritus (Boon et al 1998, Simoneit 1997, Simoneit et al 1988. Some of the researches have also focused upon the ...…”

“…The distribution diagrams are given by the m/z 58 and 82 of the GC/MS analysis, respectively. The n-alkan-2-ones <C 20 may in part be derived from anthropogenic activity (Seinfield and Pandis 1998, Simoneit et al 1988) or from atmospheric oxidative processes (Simoneit et al 1988). In some cases, the possible absence of alkanals of higher masses (>C 20 ) may reflect their reactivity to oxidation yielding alkanoic acids.…”

“…These substances could also be attributed to microbial reworking during storage of vials that can occur even when sample conservation is done at -20 • C (Aceves and Grimalt 1993). In addition, the microbial lipids could also arise by the remobilisation of soil (Simoneit et al 1988). Other biogenic contributors are fungi, bacteria, spores, pollen and algae (Rogge et al 1993e).…”

“…Dehydroabietic acid has been used as a biogenic source indicator for conifer resin, either directly to the aerosol, or from combustion of wood (Graham et al 2004, Standley andSimoneit 1994). This compound was not identified in aerosols from Nigeria and Amazonia, in accordance with the absence of conifer vegetation in those regions (Simoneit et al 1988. In cities where wood is used for heating, ambient dehydroabietic acid concentrations ranged from 48 to 440 ng m −3 (Standley and Simoneit 1994).…”