Atmospheric Air Pollution with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Krasnoyarsk Region Cities

Abstract

The results of analysis of the content of benzo(a)pyrene and other high-molecular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in atmospheric air samples collected in 2018 in industrial cities of the Krasnoyarsk region at the state monitoring network of Roshydromet are presented. The PAH measurements were performed by the high-performance liquid chromatography method, using a fluorometric detector. The monthly average concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in the atmospheric air exceeded 10 MPC in the cities of Minusinsk, Lesosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Achinsk. The maximum monthly average content of benzo(a)pyrene during the observation period in 2018 was found in Minusinsk (January, 90 MPC) and Lesosibirsk (January, 59 MPC). The main reasons for the increased levels of air pollution with PAH are investigated. Seasonal variability in the content of benzo(a)pyrene and other PAH in the atmospheric air of the Krasnoyarsk region cities with a maximum in winter and a minimum in summer is shown. The annual average concentration of benzo(a)pyrene in the atmospheric air in 2018 decreased in the following series: Minusinsk (17.2 ng/m3), Lesosibirsk (12.4 ng/m3), Krasnoyarsk (6.5 ng/m3), Achinsk (3.6 ng/m3), and Norilsk (0.6 ng/m3). A similar decreasing concentration trend in this series of cities is typical for other PAH. The level of air pollution with benzo(a)pyrene in the cities of Minusinsk, Lesosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk in 2018 is characterized as “very high.” The pyrogenic nature of PAH in the atmosphere of the surveyed cities of the Krasnoyarsk region is shown using molecular ratios.