Modeling PAH uptake by vegetation from the air using field measurements

We examined PAH uptake by Norway spruce needles following the emergence of new buds in spring 2004-June 2005. Atmospheric PAH concentrations (gaseous phase and particle-bound) were monitored during this period, and PAH concentrations from these three environmental media were then used to calculate deposition and transfer velocities. Benzo(a)pyrene was found almost exclusively associated to particles and thus was used to determine a particle-bound deposition velocity of 10.8 m h(-1). PAHs present in both compartments had net gaseous transfer velocities ranging from negligible values to 75.6 m h(-1) and correlated significantly with log KOA. The loss velocities thereafter calculated were found to be higher for more volatile PAHs. Using the calculated average atmospheric PAH concentrations and deposition velocities, it was thus possible to model PAH uptake by vegetation through time. We demonstrate that this approach can be used to determine deposition velocities without the use of a surrogate surface. In considering both particulate-bound and gaseous deposition processes this model can be used not only to study air-foliage exchange of semi-volatile organic compounds, but also to illustrate the relative contribution of gaseous deposition and particulate-bound deposition in the overall atmospheric vegetation uptake of semi-volatile organic compounds. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.