Source,distribution, and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban street dust from Tianjin,China

To better assess and understand potential health risk of urban residents exposed to urban street dust, the total concentration, sources, and distribution of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 87 urban street dust samples from Tianjin as a Chinese megacity that has undergone rapid urbanization were investigated. In the meantime, potential sources of PAHs were identified using the principal component analysis (PCA), and the risk of residents’ exposure to PAHs via urban street dust was calculated using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) model. The results showed that the total PAHs (∑PAHs) in urban street dust from Tianjin ranged from 538 μg kg^?1 to 34.3 mg kg^?1, averaging 7.99 mg kg^?1. According to PCA, the two to three- and four to six-ring PAHs contributed 10.3 and 89.7 % of ∑PAHs, respectively. The ratio of the sum of major combustion specific compounds (ΣCOMB)?/?∑PAHs varied from 0.57 to 0.79, averaging 0.64. The ratio of Ant/(Ant?+?Phe) varied from 0.05 to 0.41, averaging 0.10; Fla/(Fla?+?Pyr) from 0.40 to 0.68, averaging 0.60; BaA/(BaA?+?Chry) from 0.29 to 0.51, averaging 0.38; and IcdP/(IcdP?+?BghiP) from 0.07 to 0.37, averaging 0.22. The biomass combustion, coal combustion, and traffic emission were the main sources of PAHs in urban street dust with the similar proportion. According to the ILCR model, the total cancer risk for children and adults was up to 2.55?×?10^?5 and 9.33?×?10^?5, respectively.     

Distribution,sources, and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water in industrial affected areas of the Three Gorges Reservoir,China

Water samples were collected from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), drain water (DW), major tributaries (MT), and main course of the Yangtze River (MY) in areas of three industrial parks (IPs) in Chongqing city in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Sixteen EPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollutants were quantified to identify the effects of industrial activities on water quality of the TGR. The results showed that 11 individual PAHs were quantified and 5 PAHs (naphthalene (Nap), acenaphthylene (Acy), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (InP), and benzo[g,h,i]perylene (BgP)) were under detection limits in all of the water samples. Three-ring and four-ring PAHs were the most detected PAHs. Concentrations of individual PAHs were in the range of not detected (nd) to 24.3 ng/L. Total PAH concentrations for each site ranged from nd to 42.9 ng/L and were lower compared to those in other studies. The mean PAH concentrations for sites WWTP, DW, MT, and MY showed as follows: DW (25.9 ng/L) > MY (15.5 ng/L) > MT (14.0 ng/L) > WWTP (9.3 ng/L), and DW contains the highest PAH concentrations. Source identification ratios showed that petroleum and combustion of biomass coal and petroleum were the main sources of PAHs. The results of potential ecosystem risk assessment indicated that, although PAH concentrations in MT and MY are likely harmless to ecosystem, contaminations of PAHs in DW were listed as middle levels and some management strategies and remediation actions, like strengthen clean production processes and banning illegal sewage discharging activities, etc., should be taken to lighten the ecosystem risk caused by PAHs especially risks caused by water discharging drains.     

Long-range transport of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the eastern Asian continent to Kanazawa,Japan with Asian dust

Aerosol particles were collected for 1 year, starting in April 2003, in rural areas of Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan to understand the role of Asian dust as a long-range transporter of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Three sampling intervals were designated in this study, namely: (1) Dust period 1 (March 11–19, 2003); (2) Dust period 2 (March 28, 2003–April 9, 2003); and (3) Dust period 3 (April 9, 2004–April 25, 2004). The Asian dust particles are predominantly in the coarse particle size range (2.1–11 μm). PAH analyses were performed separately on both the coarse and fine (<1.1 μm) particle ranges. Seasonal trends in PAH concentrations for coarse and fine particles showed that the Asian dust particles in Dust period 3 contained significant amounts of less-volatile PAHs such as benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[g,h,i]perylene (BghiP). A kinetic model developed in this study shows that almost none of these PAHs would be accumulated on Asian dust particles in the atmosphere, due to their extremely slow adsorption rates. These PAHs would have to originate from PAH-polluted soil particles around industrialized areas. Back trajectory analyses suggest that the Asian dust in Dust period 3 came from loess regions around industrialized areas. This indicates that geologic materials play a significant role in the atmospheric circulation of PAHs.     

Some Improvements in the Determination of Benzo [α] Pyrene in Air Samples

The earliest measurements of benz[α]pyrene (BαP) in air samples were almost exclusively based on chroma-tography on alumina columns followed by ultraviolet absorption, in spite of the fact that the original discovery and isolation of BαP in coal tar was based on its fluorescence properties. With the increasing use of fluorescence techniques, the vastly increased sensitivity over ultraviolet measurements has become generally apparent. In air sample extracts containing the four polycyclics, benzo[a]pyrene (BαP) benzo[k]-fluoranthene (BkF), benzo[g,h,i]perylene, (BghiP), and BαP, ultraviolet measurements for BαP are particularly, inaccurate. Fluorescence measurements of BαP are much more accurate, but some improvement in accuracy seems desirable. The present work deals with improvement of the fluorescence measurement of BαP. It now is possible to measure BαP in the presence of BkF with greatly increased accuracy. Interferences resulting from the presence of benzo[k]fluoranthene are now much lower.     

Aquatic predicted no-effect concentration for three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and probabilistic ecological risk assessment in Liaodong Bay of the Bohai Sea, China

Predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) is often used in ecological risk assessment to determine low-risk concentrations for chemicals. In the present study, native marine species were selected for toxicity testing. The PNECs for three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), specifically phenanthrene (Phe), pyrene (Pyr), and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), were derived from chronic and acute toxicity data with log-normal statistical methods. The achieved PNECs for Phe, Pyr, and BaP were 2.33, 1.09, and 0.011 μg/L, respectively. In Jinzhou Bay and the Shuangtaizi River Estuary of Liaodong Bay in the Bohai Sea, China, the surface water concentrations of the three PAHs were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Based on two probabilistic ecological risk assessment (PERA) methods, namely probabilistic risk quotient and joint probability curve, the potential risk of Phe, Pyr, and BaP in Jinzhou Bay and Shuangtaizi River Estuary was assessed. The same order of ecological risk (BaP > Phe > Pyr) was found by both models. Our study considered regional characteristics of marine biota during the calculation of PNECs, and the PERA methods provided probabilities of potential ecological risks of chemicals. Within the study area, further research on BaP is required due to its high potential ecological risk.     

Studies on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in two sediment cores from the huaxi reservoir,china: Assessment of levels,sources, and ecological risk

This study investigated the levels, sources and ecological risks of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in two sediment cores that were collected along the Huaxi Reservoir. The spatial distributions and residue levels of the 16 priority PAHs in the sediments from the Huaxi Reservoir were analyzed for their potential ecological risk, source apportionment and contribution to the total PAH residue. The concentration level of the total PAHs (TPAHs) was in the range 1805 ng·g^?1 to 20023 ng·g^?1 based on dry weight, and the content of PAHs in the Huaxi Reservoir exhibited a gradual upward trend. The PAH congener ratios fluoranthene/(fluoranthene + pyrene) and indeno[1, 2, 3-cd]pyrene/(indeno[1, 2, 3-cd]pyrene + benzo[g, h, i]perylene) were used to identify the source. The main source of the low molecular weight PAHs was wood and coal combustion, whereas the high molecular weight PAHs were primarily from petroleum combustion sources. The results of an ecological risk assessment demonstrated that ACE poses a potential ecological risk, while FLU, NAP, ANT, BaP, DBA, PHEN and PYR can have serious ecological risks.     

Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediment Cores of Selected Creeks in Delta State,Nigeria

The spatial and seasonal distribution and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in core sediments of Ubeji, Ifie, and Egbokodo creeks in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. A total of 222 core sediment samples were collected during the wet season (August 2010) and the dry season (January 2011). The samples were dried, Soxhlet extracted, fractionated, and injected into a gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The concentrations of PAHs ranged from not detected to 2,654 μg/kg (wet season) and not detected to 3,513 μg/kg (dry season). In general, the concentrations of PAHs for a number of stations in this study are comparable to sites with high anthropogenic activities in the Niger Delta. The toxicity risk assessment based on the total BaP equivalent quotient of the seven carcinogenic PAHs (BaA, Chry, BbF, BkF, BaP, DBA, and Iper) was 97.416 μg/kg and did not exceed the method B cleanup level for benzo(a)pyrene (137 μg/kg), according to toxic equivalency factors, which implied that PAHs in sediments of the present study currently have minimal adverse effects. This study provided information on the concentrations and profiles of PAHs sediment cores, which is useful for source diagnosis, environmental quality management, contamination history, and environmental forensic studies.     

Source Apportionment and Identification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediment Cores of Selected Creeks in Delta State,Nigeria

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) seasonal variation and sources in Ubeji, Ifie, and Egbokodo Creeks of the Niger Delta, Nigeria, were predicted using diagnostic ratios (DRs) of parent PAHs (Phe/Phe + Ant; Flu/Flu + Pyr; BaA/BaA + Chry, and Ind/Ind + BghiP) and principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 222 sediment core samples were collected during the wet (August 2010) and the dry seasons (January 2011). The samples were dried and Soxhlet extracted; sample extracts were fractionated and analyzed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC/FID) to identify individual PAHs. The diagnostic PAH ratios revealed that PAHs in the sediment cores at the three creeks, in both seasons, mainly stemmed from the combustion process (pyrogenic sources). Principal component analysis further confirmed that wood-burning, coal combustion, diesel, gasoline-powered vehicular emissions, and petroleum combustion were the dominant contributors of PAHs sources at the sampling location. This study provided information on the origin and sources of PAHs in sediment cores, which may be useful for regulatory actions, environmental quality management, contamination history, and environmental forensic studies.     

The temporal variability of the profile of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban air: a study in a medium traffic area in Rome, 1993–1998

The constancy, both temporal and spatial, of the profile of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) relative to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a prerequisite to using the BaP-indicator approach in the carcinogenic risk assessment for PAHs. The principal aim of this study was to provide a contribution to validate this approach, by studying the variability of the profile at a typical urban site through a multi-year data set and by comparing the profiles available for different cities. Seven carcinogenic PAHs (benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b+j+k]fluoranthenes, BaP, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene) were determined in PM₁₀ 24-h samples collected every third day at a road site; moreover, benzo[e]pyrene was determined as a reference PAH due to its stability. The profile was found stable from year to year. Besides, it was similar to those recently found in other European cities (observed differences within a factor of four) and to those elaborated from earlier (1970s–1980s) investigations. The substantial similarity of profiles, both temporal (on an annual basis) and spatial, supports the validity of the BaP-indicator approach. Large PAH-to-PAH differences were, however, found in the seasonal pattern of profile: they were explained by the different atmospheric degradability of PAHs, whose effect is enhanced under the meteoclimatic conditions typical of the European Mediterranean countries. PAH annual means showed a slight declining trend since 1994. In the last sampling year, mean concentration of BaP was 1.2 ng m⁻³. Within-year differences among monthly averaged PAH concentrations were observed, as large as up to 44-fold for BaP, underlining the need for whole-year monitoring.     

Leaves of Quercus ilex L. as biomonitors of PAHs in the air of Naples (Italy)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by the GC-MS chromatography in the leaves of Quercus ilex L., an evergreen Mediterranean oak, to monitor the degree of pollution in the urban area of Naples compared to remote areas. Leaf samples were collected in July 1998 from four urban parks, six roadsides and two sites in remote areas. The total PAH contents in Q. ilex leaves ranged from 106.6 in a control site to 4607.5 ng/g d.w. along a road with a high traffic flow. The mean concentration factors (urban/control) were 3.8 for the parks and 15 for the roads. The contribution of carcinogenic PAHs (benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene) was higher in urban area and differed according to the site, ranging from 6.7% to 21.3%. The total PAH burden in control sites was dominated by the low molecular weight PAHs, whilst along the urban roads fluoranthene, pyrene and benz[a]anthracene among the measured PAHs showed the highest values. PAHs were positively correlated (P<0.01) to trace metals measured in a previous study.     

Contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in microlayer and subsurface waters along Alexandria coast,Egypt

The residues of seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollutants in microlayer and subsurface seawater samples collected from Alexandria coast, Egypt, were analyzed by gas chromatography–electron-impact mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring mode (GC–MS-SIM). The pollutants studied were, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene. Total PAH levels in microlayer ranged from 103 to 523 ng/l, while it ranged in subsurface samples from 13 to 120 ng/l. The Western Harbor location recorded the highest level of PAHs pollutant over all the other location for both subsurface and microlayer waters. The two major PAHs in microlayer water at the Western Harbor were fluorene and phenanthrene, making up 27% and 20% of the total PAHs, while the two major PAHs in subsurface water at the Eastern Harbor were phenanthrene and fluoranthene recording up 21% each of the total PAHs. The total PAH levels were generally in the nano-gram per liter for microlayer and subsurface seawater samples. The dominant PAHs in both subsurface and microlayer samples were fluoranthene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene. The microlayer enrichment factor at Alexandria’s Mediterranean coast was ranged from 29 for fluorene to 3 for phenanthrene and benzo[a]pyrene which showed PAHs concentration in the microlayer with an average of five times more than the total PAH in the subsurface samples.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cigarette sidestream smoke particulates from a Taiwanese brand and their carcinogenic relevance

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on cigarette sidestream smoke particulates (CSSPs) have been regarded as important contributors to lung carcinogenesis in never smokers. However, limited information is available on PAH levels in cigarette sidestream smoke. Here we determine the concentrations of 22 PAHs, including 16 US EPA priority PAHs, in CSSPs generated from a high market-share domestic brand in Taiwan. Five of the 22 PAHs are undetectable. The remaining 17 PAHs constitute about 0.022% of the total mass of CSSPs. Near one fifth of the PAH mass come from IARC group 1 and group 2 carcinogens. Carcinogenic potency is equivalent to 144 ng benzo[a]pyrene per cigarette converted according to potency equivalency factors (PEFs). The CSSP condensate could activate AhR activity and induce AhR target gene expression. High concentrations of CSSPs also exhibited AhR-independent cytotoxicity. However, mixing the 17 PAHs as the composition in the CSSP condensate could not reconstitute either capacity. Since AhR activation and cytotoxicity are important mechanisms underlying carcinogenic potency, the results suggest that other component compounds play a more active role in carcinogenesis. The approach of individual PAH profiling plus PEF conversion commonly used in risk assessment is likely to underestimate the risk caused by environmental cigarette smoke exposure.     

Responses of antioxidant systems and LPO level to benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(k)fluoranthene in the haemolymph of the scallop Chlamys ferrari

The effects of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) and their mixture on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels of haemolymph of scallop (Chlamys ferrari) were studied. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of 0.5 microg/L and 1.0 microg/L were significantly higher than controls (P<0.05), while it increased at beginning and then dropped (lower than controls) in the end at 10.0 microg/L and 50.0 microg/L PAHs groups. The catalase (CAT) activities were very little during the whole experimental time. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in each PAHs group all increased significantly (P<0.05). LPO levels all increased significantly (P<0.05) with time at each PAHs group except for the 0.5 microg/L group of less than hour 12. The toxicity of PAHs in a descending order was BaP>BkF>mixture of BaP and BkF. The changes in antioxidant enzyme activities and LPO level in haemolymph could reflect the detoxification functions and damage levels of whole organism.     

Emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the pyrolysis of scrap tires

This work investigated the PAHs generated in a waste-tire pyrolysis process and the PAHs removal by a wet scrubber (WSB) and a flare. IND, DBA, and BaP were found to dominate in the powders of scrap tires before the pyrolysis. The PAHs in the carbon blacks formed in the pyrolysis were mainly 2-, 3-, 6-, and 7-ring PAHs. Nap was the most predominant water-phase PAH in the WSB effluent. About 40% of the water-phase total-PAHs in the WSB effluent were contributed by nine carcinogenic PAHs. NaP, IND, and COR displayed higher mean gas- and particulate-phase concentrations than the other PAHs in the flare exhaust. The mean removal efficiencies of individual PAHs, total-PAHs, and high carcinogenic BaP+IND+DBA were 39.1–90.4%, 76.2%, and 84.9%, respectively for the WSB. For the flare, the mean removal efficiencies of gaseous, particulate, and combined (gaseous+particulate) total-PAHs were 59.8%, 91.2%, and 66.8%, respectively, whereas the removal efficiencies were 91.0%, 80.1%, and 89.1%, respectively for the total-BaPeq. However, the gaseous BaA displayed a negative mean removal efficiency. The total PAH emission rate and factor estimated for the scrap tire pyrolysis plant were 42.3 g d⁻¹ and 4.00 mg kg-tire⁻¹, respectively.     

Assessing contamination of smoked sprats (Sprattus sprattus) with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and changes in its level during storage in various types of packaging

The analysis of material used in this study demonstrated that the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoked sprats varies from the level below the lowest detection limit in muscles up to 9.99 µg kg^?1 of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in fish skin. Such a high level of PAHs in skin was reported only in one of six batches of sprats, while mean BaP level was at 1.69 µg kg^?1. Regardless such a high BaP level in skin, its concentration in muscles did not exceed the maximum acceptable level. The study objective was to assess to what extent packaging materials adsorb PAH compounds from food. Changes in the PAH levels were monitored in fish during their storage in packages made of various materials. The storage time was from 0 to 168 hours. The obtained results varied considerably, therefore their scatter did not allow to confirm unequivocally the preliminary hypothesis about the reduction of PAHs due to their migration to packaging material. However, analysis of the packaging used in this study demonstrated a significant increase in the level of total 16 PAHs. When high-density polyethylene (HDPE) packaging was analysed, a six-fold increase in the total 16 PAHs was observed comparing to the blank sample.     

Treatment of PAHs in contaminated soil by extraction with aqueous DNA followed by biodegradation with a pure culture of Sphingomonas sp

The biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aqueous deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) solution from contaminated soil washing was investigated. Initial data with a model effluent consisting of anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene that were individually dissolved in 1% aqueous DNA solution confirmed their positive degradation by Sphingomonas sp. at around 10(8)CFU mL(-1) initial cell loading. For anthracene and phenanthrene, complete removal was achieved within 1h treatment. Degradation of pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene took a relatively longer time of a few days and weeks, respectively. DNA-dissolved PAHs were also degraded relatively faster than PAH crystals in aqueous medium to suggest that the binding of the PAHs in the polymer does not pose serious constraint to bacterial uptake. The DNA was stable against the PAH-degrading bacteria. Parallel experiments with actual DNA solutions obtained during pyrene extraction from an artificially spiked soil also showed similar results. Close to 100% pyrene degradation was achieved after 1d treatment. With its chemical stability, the cell-treated DNA was re-used up to four cycles without a considerable decline in extraction performance.     

Impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions from medical waste incinerators on the urban atmosphere

In this study, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions from two batch-type medical waste incinerators (MWIs), one with a mechanical grate and the other with a fixed grate, both operated by a medical center, were assessed. Both MWIs shared the same air-pollution control devices (APCDs), with an electrostatic precipitator and a wet scrubber installed in series. Results show that when APCDs were used, total PAHs and total benzo[a]pyrene equivalent (total BaP(eq)) emission concentrations of both MWIs were reduced from 2220 to 1870 microg/m3 and 50 to 12.4 microg/m3, respectively. We used the Industrial Source Complex Short Term model (ISCST) to estimate the ground-level concentrations of the residential area and the traffic intersection located at the downwind side of the two MWIs. For the traffic intersection, we found both total PAHs and total BaP(eq) transported from MWIs to both studied areas were not significant. For the residential area, similar results were found when APCDs were used in MWIs. When APCDs were not included, we found that total PAHs transported from MWIs accounted for < 12%, but total BaP(eq) accounted for > 90%, of the on-site measured concentrations. These results suggest that the use of proper APCDs during incineration would significantly reduce the carcinogenic potencies associated with PAH emissions from MWIs to the residential area.     

PCDD/F, PAH and heavy metals in the sewage sludge from six wastewater treatment plants in Beijing, China

In order to better understand land application of sewage sludge, the characterization of heavy metals, PCDD/F and PAHs in sewage sludge was investigated from six different wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Beijing City, China. It was found that the total concentrations of Zn in Wujiacun (WJC) sewage sludge, and Cd and Hg in sewage sludge generated from all of the six different places are higher than Chinese regulation limit of pollutants for sludge to be used for agriculture (GB18918-2002). The levels of 16 PAHs that have been categorized as priority pollutants by US EPA in the sewage sludge samples varied from 2467 to 25923 microg/kg (dry weight), the highest values of 25923 microg/kg being found in WJC WWTP. The concentrations of Benzo[a]pyrene were as high as 6.1mg/kg dry weight in WJC sewage sludge, exceeding the maximum permitted content by GB18918-2002. Individual PAH content varies considerably with sewage samples. The ratios of anthracene to anthracene plus phenanthrene (An/178), benz[a]anthracene to benz[a]anthracene plus chrysene (BaA/228), indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene to indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene plus benzo[g,h,i]perylene (In/In+BP), and fluoranthene to fluoranthene plus pyrene (Fl/Fl+Py) suggest that petroleum and combustion of fossil fuel were the dominant contributions for the PAHs in sewage sludge. The concentrations of total PCDD/F in the sewage sludge ranged from 330 to 4245 pg/g d.w. The toxicity equivalent concentrations is between 3.47-88.24 pg I-TEQ according to NATO/CCMS, which is below Chinese legislation limit value proposed for land application. The PCDD/F congener/homologue profiles found in the Beijing samples indicated that the high chlorinated PCDD/F contamination might originate mainly from PCP-related source and depositional sources while the low chlorinated PCDD/F homologues could be originating from incineration or coal combustion. The major source of PCDD/Fs in Beijing sludge is still unclear.     

Benzo[b]fluoranthene,a Potential Alternative to Benzo[a]pyrene as an Indicator of Exposure to Airborne PAHs in the Vicinity of Söderberg Aluminum Smelters

ABSTRACT

Benzo[b]fluoranthene (B[b]F) was used in relative abundance ratios (RARs), a parameter obtained by dividing the concentration of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in a given sample by the concentration of B[b]F in the same sample. The B[b]F RARs were derived for PAH concentrations measured at stacks and sampling stations in the vicinity of two Söderberg aluminum horizontal stud smelters (HSSs). The samples collected were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography using UV and fluorescence detection. A total of 15 PAHs were analyzed, but, due to the inefficiency of the sampling method used in collecting gaseous PAHs, only particulate PAHs were considered. Comparisons between the B[b]F RARs obtained simultaneously at the source (stack) and those obtained at sampling stations at the two smelters showed that B[b]F degrades more slowly than or at the same rate as most other particulate PAHs monitored. Twenty-three months of urban sampling in the vicinity of one of the aluminum HSSs are also presented, and the results indicate that B[b]F is more stable than all other particulate PAHs investigated. Sampling conducted during a smelter shutdown period confirmed that B[b]F was a much better marker of this source than was benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), the usual indicator. The remarkable stability of the benzo[k]fluoranthene (B[k]F)/B[b]F ratio is also discussed.     

Comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in airborne particulates collected in downtown and suburban Kanazawa,Japan

In this study, airborne particulates were collected at three sites, two in a downtown area and the other in a suburban area of Kanazawa, Japan in each season for 7 years. Two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pyrene (Py) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and four nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs), 1-nitropyrene (NP) and 1,3-, 1,6-, and 1,8-dinitropyrenes (DNP) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection. At the downtown sites, the mean concentration of each DNP was about two orders of magnitude lower than that of 1-NP and more than three orders of magnitude lower than those of Py and BaP. This tendency reflected the composition of PAHs and NPAHs in diesel-engine exhaust particulates. Concentrations of these PAHs and NPAHs were higher at the downtown sites than at the suburban site, suggesting the dilution of these compounds during the transportation from the downtown to the suburban area. The concentration ratios of NPAHs to PAHs were larger at the downtown sites than at the suburban site. Studies using UV light and sunlight showed that degradation of NPAHs was faster than that of PAHs. Thus, the lower concentrations of NPAHs in the suburban sites may be due to their being photodegraded faster than PAHs during the atmospheric transportation from the downtown area to the suburban area.