Observation of organic acids in atmospheric aerosols in the Rome Province territory

Congener distribution and seasonal variation of organic acids in aerosols colleted in downtown Rome and its outskirts have been investigated. Acetic and palmitic acids were the most abundant among short- and long-chain aliphatic acids, respectively. A different behaviour of the two groups has been observed, indicating that photochemical and vegetative sources were predominant in different periods of the year. In the outskirts of Rome the total content of n-alkanoic acids was equal or higher than in the city centre.