Distribution of benzene concentration in Kaunas city

Abstract

Benzene is considered as an indicator of others volatile organic compounds. The aim of this study was to assess distribution of benzene concentration in Kaunas. A passive sampling method was used. The diffusion tube comprises a glass sampling tube open at both ends and filled with activated charcoal. Sampling was carried out in 15 points of Kaunas city. The study was begun in November 2010. Study results presents distribution of benzene concentration in autumn, winter, spring, summer seasons. In future the study will be extended. According to measured concentration average concentration in whole Kaunas city were calculated. The study results showed that mean of benzene concentration in Kaunas city was 1.9 μg/m3, with the range of 1.5 to 2.61 μg/m3 The highest benzene concentrations in Vilijampolė, Sargėnai, Petrašiūnai districts did not exceed the annual limit value for the protection for human health (5.0 mg/m3), but were higher than the lower assessment threshold value of 2.0 μg/m3. The results of the study were introduced in the ESRI Geographic Information System software ArcGIS and the extension Geostatistical Analyst was used to obtain map of distribution of benzene concentration. To get a better view of the distribution of pollutant concentration, the obtained values were spatially interpolated using the IDW (Inverse Distance Weighted) method.