Sampling analysis and characterization of particles in the atmosphere of rural, urban and industrial areas.

Abstract: This work concerns atmospheric particles (PM 2.5) collected in the surroundings of rural, urban and industrial areas. The investigation zone chosen for the study is Dunkirk (North of France), a highly industrialised city located along the North sea, where various activities are present such as metallurgy, petrol refineries and other chemical companies but also an important city with 210 000 inhabitants and two highly loaded motorways. Comparisons with a rural area were carried out. Physicochemical analysis of particulate matter was undertaken to propose parameters that could be used to distinguish the various sources and also to provide chemical elements for interpretation of future toxicological studies. This paper focuses on both organic and inorganic pollutants: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), paraffins, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), heavy metals and major soluble compounds (anionic and cationic). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]