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The aim of this paper is to provide a general picture of the spectral characteristics of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) derivatives. A great deal of data concerning PAHs has been reported in the literature, but there is lack of comprehensiveness about important parameters in the same experimental conditions for their nitro (NO(2)) and amino (NH(2)) derivatives such as absorption and emission characteristics. Thus, important parameters such as the molar extinction coefficient, absorption maxima, fluorescence maxima, and fluorescence quantum yield are reported here. The efficiencies of the reduction of NO(2)-PAHs to their corresponding amino compounds were also verified by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This class of derivatives represents one of the most toxic groups of carcinogenic substances and therefore the data reported here should be useful for toxicological research.

This article deals with looking for the best passive samplers among eleven plants diffused in the Mediterranean basin for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmosphere in substitution to the particulate matter sampling. The most recent research about biological passive samplers showed a quali-quantitative difference in pollutant sampling by different plants. Evergreen trees with long-lived leaves were selected in the urban area of Catania (Italy) and both samples (leaves and particulate matter) were extracted and purified by a two stage method before the analysis was performed by a GC/MS. Leaves and particulate matter were sampled in three different seasons (winter, spring and summer). PAHs concentrations found in the particulate matter and leaves were correlated. Some plants ( Olea europaea and Quercus ilex ) showed high values (r 2 > 0.85) of linear correlation coefficient in all seasons and are characterized by profiles similar to that of the particulate matter. Further, it has been observed that during the warmer seasons the total quantity of PAH adsorbed by the plants is greater but the fitting is better during winter. No difference was found by washing leaves with distilled water: this means that PAHs aren't deposited on the surface but are adsorbed in the lipidic layer of the leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]