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Levels and distributions of organic source tracers in air and roadside dust particles of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

The concentrations of n-alkanes, unresolved complex mixture (UCM), petroleum molecular markers, other tracers of cooking and burning emissions, and natural background in atmospheric particles and roadside dust particles were measured at eight locations in the city center and the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Atmospheric particles were collected using high-volume filtration (PM-10, GFF) over 24 h average periods. Road dusts were swept up, dried and sieved. Both types of samples were extracted with dichloromethane/methanol mixture (3:1 v/v) by ultrasonic agitation. The extracts were then fractionated by column chromatography and the alkanes subjected to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Total extracts were also analyzed directly by GC–MS after silylation. The molecular distributions of compounds as well as diagnostic geochemical ratios were determined in order to identify the sources of the organic compounds. Samples collected from a rural area and lubricating oils were also analyzed for comparisons. Anthropogenic and biogenic sources such as vehicular emissions, waxes of higher plants, food cooking operations, and biomass and domestic refuse burning processes contributed to the organic matter content of atmospheric and to lesser extent, roadside dust particles.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Government of Malaysia through MPKSN Grant No: 08-02-03-0010. The cooperation of the Chief of Police of Kuala Lumpur City is greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Nasr Yousef M. J. Omar, M. Radzi Bin Abas & Noorsaadah A. Rahman

  2. Faculty of Science and Technology, Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia, Mengabang Telipot, 21030, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

    Norhayati Mohd. Tahir

  3. Environmental and Petroleum Geochemistry Group, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Ahmed I. Rushdi & Bernd R. T. Simoneit

Authors
  1. Nasr Yousef M. J. Omar
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  2. M. Radzi Bin Abas
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  4. Norhayati Mohd. Tahir
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  5. Ahmed I. Rushdi
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  6. Bernd R. T. Simoneit
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Ahmed I. Rushdi or Bernd R. T. Simoneit.

Appendix 1. Chemical structures cited

Appendix 1. Chemical structures cited

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Omar, N.Y.M.J., Abas, M.R.B., Rahman, N.A. et al. Levels and distributions of organic source tracers in air and roadside dust particles of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Environ Geol 52, 1485–1500 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0593-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0593-6

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