Estimation of Onsite Factors on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Particulate Buildup in Urban Road Networks

Prasenjit Adak,Suresh Pandian Elumalai

doi:10.3389/fenvs.2021.768358

Abstract

Soil samples from the urban road and roadside often exhibit a high concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This contamination is attributed to vehicular exhaust emissions. After their release into the atmosphere, the PAH particulate matter eventually is deposited on the surface of the road and its surrounding areas. In order to develop a theoretical approach to quantify and predict the transport of PAH particulates from the atmosphere to the roadside soil, the estimation of particulate buildup in the atmosphere is a prerequisite. In the present study, empirical and temporal expressions of particulate buildup in the atmosphere have been developed. The developed site-specific expressions, coupled with other non–site-specific expressions can be used for indirect estimation of PAH particulate load in the soil of urban road networks.

Highlights

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered significant contributors to cancer and tumors in human beings (IARC, 2010)
The lowest observed concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) was at ISM and BB, and on the other hand, the lowest value of CO concentration estimated with the general finite line source model (GFLSM) and R-Line was found at BB and GP, respectively
The concentration of CO was underestimated by the GFLSM at BM, SC, STN, CC, and RVC, but the same was overestimated at HP, ISM, SG, BB, and GP

Summary

Introduction

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered significant contributors to cancer and tumors in human beings (IARC, 2010). It has been reported that dermal contact with PAHcontaminated soil can be potentially hazardous for human health, as it is one of the major exposure pathways of PAHs to the human body (Tarafdar and Sinha, 2017a). It was observed that soil samples collected from busy traffic sites contain a significant amount of PAHs (Tarafdar and Sinha, 2017b). The suspended particulate matter (SPM) containing PAHs gets released from the tailpipes of the automobiles and eventually gets deposited into the soil. Another major cause of PAH contamination in the soil is wet deposition of SPM in the atmosphere. Proper quantification of SPM buildup in the atmosphere can provide crucial insights into the transport of PAHs from the atmosphere to the soil

Methods

Results

Conclusion