Diurnal and Seasonal Variation of BTX in Ambient air of One Urban Site in Carmen City, Campeche, Mexico

J. G. Cerón, E. Ramírez, R. M. Cerón, C. Carballo, C. Aguilar, U. López, A. Ramírez, Y. Gracia, D. Naal, A. Campero, J. Guerra, E. Guevara

Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico.
Universidad Autónoma del Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico.

DOI: 10.4236/jep.2013.48A1006                

Abstract

BTX (benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and p-xylene) and meteorological parameters were measured in ambient air of an urban site located in Carmen City, Campeche, Mexico. A total of 412 samples were collected for BTX and analyzed by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). Meteorological parameters were measured by a portable station. A marked diurnal variation was found for all measured BTX. The highest concentrations occurred during midday (13:00-14:30 h). A clear seasonal pattern was observed too for all compounds registering their highest levels during summer sampling period. Mean concentrations for benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and p-xylene were: 5.42, 3.97, 11.24 and 8.32 ppbv, respectively. BTX abundance showed the following order: toluene > p-xylene > benzene > ethylbenzene. BTX maximum concentrations were found when winds blowed from E and NE. Important oil industry sources and avenues are located at these directions. These sources could contribute to the levels of BTX in this site.

Keywords

BTX; Carbonyls; Volatile Organic Compounds; Air Pollution; Carmen City; Mexico

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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