Volatile organic compounds in urban and industrial atmospheres:: Measurement techniques and data analysis

Main results of 62 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 'continuous' on-line measurement obtained at the Air Quality Monitoring Station sited at the School of Engineering of Bilbao (Northern Spain) are presented. The system has been put into operation between 1997 and 2001 in an area influenced by urban and industrial emissions. Initially, the measurement method and data validation process are described and, then, the application of combined statistical analysis techniques for inferring the mixed organic compound sources impacting the receptor location. The addition of a simple meteorological study for the characterisation of the prevailing winds combined with pollution roses has confirmed this statistical results and allows, for each compound, the discrimination of its urban - mainly traffic - or industrial origin.