Fluorescent Signatures of Organic Matter Attached on Particulate Particle in the Atmosphere Surrounding in Steel Factory

Abstract

In this research, the characterization and molecular weight of organic matter, adsorbed on both particle sizes from ambient air in the steel factory, was dissolved into adequate distilled water and analyzed by fluorescent spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) equipped with Diode Array Detector (DAD). The components of water-soluble organic compounds (WSOC) attached on both particle sizes, including PM 2.5 μm and PM 2.5-10 μm, were elucidated by the integration of excitation-emission fluorescent matrix (EEFM) with Parallel Factor (PARAFAC) analysis. It reveals that total fluorescent intensity of PM 2.5 μm was higher than that of PM 2.5-10 μm. Similar fluorescent signature was found in WSOC from both particles at the whole sampling locations. High excitation wavelength (280-320 nm) belonging to humic-like substance (220-240 nm) and low excitation wavelength due to fulvic-like substance were found in both particle sizes with the proximity of emission wavelength of 400 nm. Three major components of WSCO for both particles had high explanatory power representing the content of organic matter. For the largest contribution of fluorescence, the wavelengths of Ex/Em for coarse particle were higher than those of fine particle. The phenomenon was coexisted in molecular weight.