Characteristics and sources of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Shanghai, China

A field campaign was conducted to measure and analyze 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in six major zones in the city of Shanghai, P.R. China from August 2006 to April 2007. Ambient air samples were collected seasonally using passive air samplers, and gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy was used in this field campaign. The results showed that there was a sequence of 13 PAHs at Phen > FA > Pyr > Chr > Fl > An > BaA > BbFA > BghiP > IcdP > BkFA > BaP > DahA and the sum of these PAHs is 36.01 ± 10.85 ng/m³ in gas phase. FL, Phen, FA, Pyr, and Chr were the dominant PAHs in gas phase in the city. They contributed 90% of total PAHs in the gas phase. Proportion of measured PAHs with three, four, five, and six rings to total PAHs was 53%, 42%, 3%, and 2%, respectively. The highest concentration of ΣPAHs (the sum of 13 PAHs) occurred in the wintertime and the lowest was in the summer. This investigation suggested that traffic, wood combustion, and metal scrap burn emissions were dominant sources of the concentrations of PAHs in six city zones compared with coal burning and industry emissions. Further, the traffic emission sources of PAHs in the city were attributed mostly to gasoline-powered vehicles compared with diesel-powered vehicles. It was revealed that the seasonal changes in PAHs in the city depended on different source types. Metal scrap burn was found to be the major source of PAHs during the autumn, while the PAH levels in the atmosphere for winter and spring seasons were mainly influenced by wood and biomass combustion. Comparisons of PAHs among different city zones and with several other cities worldwide were also made and discussed.     

气溶胶与降尘中多环芳烃的含量分布研究

通过广东省茂名市区四个不同功能点大气气溶胶和降尘中多环芳烃的含量分布研究发现 :1、气溶胶中优控多环芳烃大大高于降尘中的含量 ,为降尘的 5.97～ 1 9.3倍 ;以石化厂区为例 ,非优控多环芳烃在气溶胶中的相对含量更高 ,为降尘的 2 4 .7倍。2、气溶胶中优控多环芳烃和非优控多环芳烃的分布为随分子量增加而含量增高的趋势 ,但降尘中优控多环芳烃的高含量相对集中于萤蒽至苯并 (b)萤蒽之间。3、不同功能区由于排放源的差别所表现出的气溶胶和降尘中优控多环芳烃总量及总量比值、部分强致癌和致癌物含量及含量比值均存在差异。4、对气溶胶和降尘中多环芳烃研究可以对降尘中非优控多环芳烃降解和溶解量进行估算。以石化厂区为例 ,降尘中非优控多环芳烃比原始含量已减少76%。     

Supercritical fluid extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from white pine (Pinus strobus) needles and its implications

A supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method was developed for the extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from fresh and fallen pine needles. Toluene-modified CO2 was used as the extracting fluid, and the extracted PAHs were analyzed by GC-MS. Using a two-stage extraction procedure, a static extraction at 180 degrees C and a dynamic extraction at 60 degrees C, and an in-cell silica gel plug plus a post-oven silica gel column, the extraction and fractionation of PAHs can be accomplished in one step. Over a seven month period, a significant variation was observed for PAHs in urban samples, while PAHs in mountain samples were at much lower levels (by a factor of approximately 8) and showed little seasonal change. Although dry fallen needles and fresh needles contained similar amounts of PAHs, in the fallen needles the lower molecular weight PAHs were partially lost while the higher molecular weight PAHs were slightly enriched. Pollution in urban areas was found to be highly localized, and buildings and trees are believed to be important factors in the restriction of atmospheric PAHs.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in clams Ruditapes decussatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The concentration of sixteen individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was measured in the clam Ruditapes decussatus whole soft tissues from several places of the Ria Formosa lagoon (Portugal). Total PAH (tPAH) concentrations were higher in the summer (August) and winter (January) than in the other months and the distribution pattern of the individual PAHs was generally dominated by the 4 aromatic ring PAHs, followed by the 2 + 3 aromatic rings PAHs. Benzo[a]anthracene and acenaphthene were the most representative PAHs of the two fractions. Principal components analysis (PCA) revealed that, in the Ria Formosa, seasonal variations are more important than spatial variations, due to changes in PAH source. These sources ranged from petrogenic to pyrolytic or a mixture of both. The origin of clam PAHs was also assessed by partial least squares (PLS) analysis using nineteen different PAH signatures, taken from the literature. It was possible to identify boat traffic, especially in the summer, as one of the most relevant PAH sources to the Ria Formosa. The influence of boat traffic was revealed by several signatures including diesel soot, oil and weathered oil and a mixture of different individual PAHs usually found in harbour sediments. Other relevant sources included combustion of organic matter such as forest fires and diverse domestic activities, occurring mainly in the summer. Most of the clams were considered safe for human consumption, except for some point samples, which presented unusually high PAH concentrations, suggesting the need for a regular survey of PAHs in clam tissues.     

Historical changes in the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Lake Peipsi sediments

The distribution of 11 individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was analysed in a (210)Pb dated sediment core from the deepest area of Lake Peipsi and in four surface sediment samples taken from littoral areas. According to the concentrations in the core three groups of PAHs may be distinguished: (1) relatively stable concentrations of PAHs within the whole studied time interval; (2) very low concentrations in sediments accumulated before intensive anthropogenic impact (from 19th century up to the 1920s) following a slight increase and (3) an overall increase in PAH concentrations since the 1920s up to the present. Comprehensive analysis of PAHs in the core and monitoring data obtained in the 1980s together with the lithology of sediments show that an increase of anthropogenically induced PAHs correlates well with the history of fuel consumption in Estonia and speaks about atmospheric long-distance transport of PAHs. The continuous increase of PAH concentrations since the 1920s do not support the earlier hypothesis about the dominating impact of the oil shale fired power plants near the lake, because their emissions decreased significantly in the 1990s. The concentration of PAHs in the deep lake core sample correlates well with the content of organic matter, indicating absorption and co-precipitation with plankton in the sediment.     

淮南市秋季大气可吸入颗粒物中多环芳烃的污染特征分析

2007年秋季在淮南市五个采样点采集大气可吸入颗粒物样品,用色谱-质谱法分析多环芳烃中16种优控污染物.结果显示,交通区PAHs浓度最高;PAHs以四环为主,二环所占比例最小;PM10与ΣPAHs成显著正相关关系,与苯并[a]芘成显著正相关;采用比值法对准南市PM10中的PAHs进行来源分析,得到PAHs主要来源于交通源及燃煤排放.     

云南省宣威市和富源县空气和土壤中多环芳烃污染水平研究

宣威市和富源县位于我国云南省东北部,是全世界肺癌发病率最高的地区之一。当地居民在不通风的房间内燃烧烟煤做饭或取暖造成了严重的室内空气污染。研究表明,长期暴露在燃煤造成的污染物中是导致两地居民肺癌持续高发的主要原因,多环芳烃是最可疑的致病因子之一。2008年1月,分别用聚胺脂泡沫和玻璃纤维滤膜采集了当地9个点位室内、室外空气中气相和颗粒物相中的多环芳烃,同时采集了对应点位的土壤样品。通过对样品的分析,考察了当地空气和土壤中多环芳烃的污染水平、特征以及来源。结果证明,当地空气和土壤中存在严重的多环芳烃污染,室内污染显著高于室外,然而随着当地工业的发展室外污染同样不可忽视,主成分分析结合比值法证明,当地室内外多环芳烃的主要污染源来自于煤炭的燃烧。对空气颗粒物和土壤中多环芳烃浓度进行了比较,对土壤中多环芳烃的来源进行了验证。     

淮南市大气PM_(10)中多环芳烃污染特征的研究

对2008年05至11月淮南市5个采样点大气可吸入颗粒物(PM10)样品进行分析,总结了研究区内PM10及其中16种PAHs的浓度特征、季节变化规律和来源解析。研究区内16种PAHs浓度总和的范围在15.20~111.58ng.m-3之间,平均值为40.40ng.m-3,中位数为33.34ng.m-3。PAHs总量的季节变化与采样时环境温度显示出较好的负相关性,即秋季>春季>夏季;运用多环芳烃比值综合判断,淮南市大气PM10中PAHs主要以燃煤和机动车尾气混合来源为主,石油源和木材燃烧来源的贡献较小。     

南京市大气颗粒物中多环芳烃变化特征

逐月采集南京市大气中不同粒径的颗粒物,采用HPLC分析了2010年每个月PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)颗粒物样品中的多环芳烃(PAHs)的种类和浓度水平。结果表明:PM_(10)中PAHs年均值为25.07 ng/m~3,范围为11.03~53.56 ng/m3;PM_(2.5)中PAHs年均值为19.04 ng/m~3,范围为10.82~36.43 ng/m~3。PM_(10)和PM_(2.5)中PAHs总体浓度有着相似的变化趋势,呈现凹形变化曲线;在南京市大气颗粒物中吸附的PAHs大部分以5~6环的高环数组分为主,大部分PAHs和∑PAHs的相关性较好,年度变化幅度不大,分析结果表明,颗粒物中PAHs的来源与稳定的排放源相关,机动车排放不容忽视,与北方城市燃煤污染有着较大的区别。     

Distribution and source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface soil along main transportation routes in Jiaxing City, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 EPA-PAHs) in urban surface soil from Jiaxing City were determined using HPLC. The total concentration of 16 EPA-PAHs was detected from 18.73 to 441.34 pg/g. Individual PAH occupation analysis demonstrates that four-ring PAHs comprise as much as 44.16% and were prevalent in the composition of PAH pollutants. The other components were two-ring PAHs (7.36%), three-ring PAHs (17.28%), five-ring PAHs (16.16%), and six-ring PAHs (15.04%). Source analysis on the characteristic ratios of anthracene(Ane)/[Ane+phenanthrene(Phe)], fluoranthene(Fla)/[Fla+pyrene(Pyr)], and benzo[a]pyrene(Bap)/benzo[g,h,i]perylene(Bgp) reveals that PAH pollutants originated mainly from coal combustion, but vehicular emission as a source was not negligible. All PAHs discussed in the paper have similar source in most sampling sites. The spatial distributions of pollution sources were closely related to geographic location, geographic condition, and living habit of indigenes. A linear relationship between 2-3-ring PAHs, 4-6-ring PAHs, SOM, and ∑PAHs were investigated and significant correlativity were expatiated lastly. It revealed that coefficient between 2-3-ring PAHs and ∑PAHs is 0.56, between 4-6-ring PAHs and ∑PAHs is 0.99, between SOM and ∑PAHs is 0.82.     

Multivariate analysis of mixed contaminants (PAHs and heavy metals) at manufactured gas plant site soils

Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to provide an overview of the distribution pattern of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site soils. PCA is the powerful multivariate method to identify the patterns in data and expressing their similarities and differences. Ten PAHs (naphthalene, acenapthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[a]pyrene) and four toxic heavy metals — lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) — were detected in the site soils. PAH contamination was contributed equally by both low and high molecular weight PAHs. PCA was performed using the varimax rotation method in SPSS, 17.0. Two principal components accounting for 91.7% of the total variance was retained using scree test. Principle component 1 (PC1) substantially explained the dominance of PAH contamination in the MGP site soils. All PAHs, except anthracene, were positively correlated in PC1. There was a common thread in high molecular weight PAHs loadings, where the loadings were inversely proportional to the hydrophobicity and molecular weight of individual PAHs. Anthracene, which was less correlated with other individual PAHs, deviated well from the origin which can be ascribed to its lower toxicity and different origin than its isomer phenanthrene. Among the four major heavy metals studied in MGP sites, Pb, Cd and Cr were negatively correlated in PC1 but showed strong positive correlation in principle component 2 (PC2). Although metals may not have originated directly from gaswork processes, the correlation between PAHs and metals suggests that the materials used in these sites may have contributed to high concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr and Zn. Thus, multivariate analysis helped to identify the sources of PAHs, heavy metals and their association in MGP site, and thereby better characterise the site risk, which would not be possible if one uses chemical analysis alone.     

水中痕量多环芳烃(PAHs)类环境污染物检测方法的研究

对水中多环芳烃（ＰＡＨｓ）检测方法进行了系统研究，采用固相萃取技术进行样品前处理，以取代传统的液液萃取，并建立了优化的ＰＡＨｓ液相色谱分析条件，可以适用于美国ＥＰＡ优先监控的水中１６种ＰＡＨｓ的同时分析     

Distributions, sources and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in topsoil at Ji’nan city, China

Surface soil (0-5 cm) samples from 17 sampling sites including different functional areas at Ji'nan city in Shandong Province of China were collected and analyzed for 16 EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The total PAH concentrations were in the range from 1.31 mg kg(-1) to 254.08 mg kg(-1) (dry weight), and the average level of total PAHs was 23.25 mg kg(-1). The highest total PAHs concentrations were found in steel and iron plant at industrial areas. The total PAHs concentrations in industrial areas were markedly higher than those in other different functional areas. According to comparing total PAHs concentration in Ji'nan city to that of other urban areas, it was found that total PAHs concentrations were 6 to 137 times higher than other areas because of some specific sampling sites such as steel and iron plant and one main roadside. The results showed that PAHs in topsoil of Ji'nan city were suffered from strong pyrogenic influence, especially in industrial areas. However about 52.9% soil samples were mainly originated from both pyrogenic and petrogenic mixed sources based on Flu/Pyr ratios and Phe/Ant ratios. Furthermore, It was found that all individual PAHs except Fle were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with LMW, HMW, total PAHs and SOM, and individual PAHs except Fle in soils were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with each other. The nemerow composite index to assess the environmental quality showed that the soil sample of steel and iron plant in industrial areas and one main roadside were heavy pollution of PAHs, and about 47% soil sampling sites were safety, about 53% soil sampling sites were got different grades of PAHs pollution.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons study and toxic equivalency factor (TEFs) in Tehran, IRAN

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic pollutants released by various urban combustion sources. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a representative member of the class of PAHs. Health risk assessment associated with inhalatory PAHs uptake is often estimated on the basis of the BaP concentrations in air. Atmospheric particulate PAHs concentrations were measured at five locations in Tehran, Iran. Sixteen PAHs were extracted from the airborne particles and analyzed by HPLC. Total PAHs concentrations (16 compounds) at five station Arjanteen, Enghelab, Azadi, Bahman, Haft Houz were respectively, 70.2, 96.5, 130, 79.1, 44.1 ng/m(3). The information obtain from the present study indicated that mean of human carcinogens are: benzo[a]antheracene (0.17-4.76 ng/m(3)), chrysene (1.74-3.62 ng/m(3)), benzo[b]fluoranthene (0-5.25 ng/m(3)), benzo[k]fluoranthene (0.32-1.72 ng/m(3)), benzo[a]pyrene (1.41-3.82 ng/m(3)), dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (0.33-2.13 ng/m(3)), and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (0.25-11.08 ng/m(3)). The development and the establishment of a toxicity equivalency factor (TEF) are used in the assessment of mixtures containing PAHs. The contribution of the carcinogenic potency of BaP alone is in the range of 49.6-76.3% of the total carcinogenic activity. The annual number of lung cancer cases (persons per million) among Tehran residents (population = 10 millions) attributable to these carcinogenic PAHs compounds in 2005 was estimated at 58 persons per million. In Tehran urban areas vehicular emission are the primary contributor to PAHs concentrations, with additional local contributors like industrials emissions.     

Long-term fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in sediments from Loch Leven after closure of an aluminium smelter

An aluminium smelter discharged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into Loch Leven on the west of Scotland from 1907 until it closed in 2000, resulting in elevated PAH concentrations in the sediment. A temporal monitoring programme to investigate any recovery in sediment concentrations began in 2004, with sampling each year until 2008 and again in 2010. Cores were also collected to investigate temporal trends over a longer time scale and to estimate the sedimentation rate in the loch. The loch is divided into two basins, and PAH concentrations were significantly higher in the upper basin, closer to the smelter, than in the lower basin. The PAH distribution and concentration ratios were consistent with a pyrolytic source of PAHs, with a high proportion of heavier parent PAHs. There was no evidence of any recovery in PAH concentrations, perhaps due to the mixing and disturbances of the sediment, and the persistence of PAHs. Concentrations of all PAHs were above the Background Assessment Concentrations (BACs) in both basins. In the lower basin only the 5- and 6-ring PAHs were above the Effects Range Low (ERL) values, but in the upper basin all but naphthalene were above the ERLs. There is therefore still an unacceptable risk of chronic effects in marine species. Concentrations decreased down the cores, falling below BACs in the deepest sections. However, ERLs were exceeded as far down the core as 30 cm for some PAHs.     

京杭大运河扬州段表层沉积物中多环芳烃的分布及风险评价

采用HPLC定量检出京杭大运河扬州段表层沉积物中16 种优控PAHs 的总量范围在505~4532.2ng/g (干重) 之间,平均值为2359.4ng/g,属中等污染水平,沉积物中的多环芳烃主要来源于煤炭、木材及石油的不完全燃烧;利用沉积物质量基准法(SQGs)对京杭大运河扬州段沉积物中多环芳烃的风险评价表明, 严重的多环芳烃生态风险在京杭大运河扬州段沉积物中不存在,负面生物毒性效应会偶尔发生, 风险主要来源于低环的多环芳烃。     

Dietary exposure estimates of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Xuanwei and Fuyuan, counties in a high lung cancer incidence area in China

Xuanwei and Fuyuan are located in the southwest of China and have the highest lung cancer incidence in China, possibly even highest in the world. Dietary samples were collected from these two counties and the contamination status of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined. PAH components, food constituents, dietary exposure level, as well as spatial difference, were studied in the different groups. The percentage of dietary intake to total intake of PAHs was calculated and the relationship between the dietary intake of PAHs and the abnormal lung cancer incidence was primarily discussed. The results showed that rice and potatoes were the main foods of the local residents in Xuanwei and Fuyuan. The daily exposure doses of Bap (benzo[a]pyrene), total PAHs, and TEQs (toxic equivalents) based on Bap toxicity in two counties were estimated to be 458 ng d(-1), 14,532 ng d(-1), and 896 ng d(-1), respectively, which were much less than those in other cities reported previously. The lower ingestion amount of food with a relatively higher content of PAHs, such as meat and fish, could account for the lower exposure doses. PAHs with less than 4 rings occupied a high percentage of the total PAHs in food samples. The exposure doses varied significantly among different sites and even different families at the same site. Dietary exposure was not the main exposure route of PAHs at most sites. It appears that there was not a direct relationship between dietary exposure and the lung cancer incidence. However, high ratios of dietary intake to total PAHs intake (1.33%-70.61%) were found in several areas and rational diet suggestions should be given in these areas in the future.     

Detecting and characterising sources of persistent organic pollutants (PAHs and PCBs) in surface sediments of an industrialized area (harbour of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea)

A sediment sampling based on a two-dimensional mapping was performed in the harbour of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea), considering 28 sites exposed to pollutant inputs from harbour and industrial activities. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in surface sediments, because these very persistent pollutants seem to be responsible for the depletion of benthic populations observed in this area. The correlation matrix indicates that PAHs and PCBs are non-correlated, and probably have different sources. Both cluster analysis performed on the sampling sites and graphical drawing of the PAH sediment contents make it possible to locate along the shoreline a band of more polluted sediments, clustered around a site facing a steelmaking factory, to be considered as the main source point for PAHs. The evaluation of phenanthrene to anthracene (P/AN) and fluoranthene to pyrene (FL/PY) ratios permits the assessment of the pyrolytic, industrial origin of these PAHs, rejecting a second possible source of hydrocarbons (i.e., an oil-pipeline terminal, situated near the steelmaking factory). Graphical drawing of the total PCB iso-concentrations reveals a different source-point for this other category of very persistent pollutants.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments from the Bizerte Lagoon,Tunisia: levels,sources, and toxicological significance

To assess the status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in sediments from the Bizerte Lagoon (northern Tunisia), 18 surface sediment samples were collected in March 2011 and analyzed for 14 US Environmental Protection Agency priority PAHs by high-performance liquid chromatography. The total concentrations of the 14 PAHs (ΣPAHs) ranged from 16.9 to 394.1 ng g^?1 dry weight (dw) with a mean concentration of 85.5 ng g^?1 dw. Compared with other lagoons, coasts, and bays in the world, the concentrations of PAHs in surface sediments of the Bizerte Lagoon are low to moderate. The PAHs’ composition pattern was dominated by the presence of four-ring PAHs (45.8 %) followed by five-ring (26.8 %) and three-ring PAHs (12.7 %). The PAH source analysis suggested that the main origin of PAHs in the sediments of the lagoon was mainly from pyrolytic sources. According to the numerical effect-based sediment quality guidelines of the USA, the levels of PAHs in the Bizerte Lagoon should not exert adverse biological effects. The total benzo[a]pyrene toxicity equivalent values calculated for the samples varied from 3.1 to 53.7 ng g^?1 dw with an average of 10.6 ng g^?1 dw.     

Spatial distribution and seasonal variation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminations in surface water from the Hun River, Northeast China

The objectives of this study were to investigate the levels, dispersion patterns, seasonal variation, and sources of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 EPA-PAHs) in the Hun River of Liaoning Province, China. Samples of surface water were collected from upstream to downstream locations, and also from the main tributaries of the Hun River in dry period, flood period, and level period, respectively. After appropriate preparation, all samples were analyzed for 16 EPA-PAHs. Total PAHs concentrations varied from 124.55 to 439.27 ng l^?1 in surface water in dry period, 1,615.75 to 5,270.04 ng l^?1 in flood period, and 2,247.42 to 7,767.9 ng l^?1 in level period. The 16 EPA-PAHs concentrations were significantly increased in the order of level period > flood period > dry period. The composition pattern of PAHs in surface water was dominated by low molecular weight PAHs, in particular two- to three-ring PAHs. In addition, two-ring PAH accounted for 39.33 to 88.27 % of the total PAHs in level period. Low molecular weight PAHs predomination together with higher levels of PAHs in flood and level period suggested a relatively recent local source of PAHs. Special PAHs ratios such as phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene indicated that under dry weather season conditions, the PAHs found in surface water were primarily from petrogenic source, while under wet weather season conditions they were from mixed source of both petrogenic inputs and combustion sources. The comparison of PAHs contamination among different types of areas in China suggested that atmospheric depositions might be the most important approaches of PAHs into water system. Although the Hun River exists low PAHs ecological risk now, potential toxic effects will be existed in the future especially in flood and level period.