Abstract
Abstract. This study explores qualitative and quantitative composition of 15 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban soils of some parkland, residential and industrial areas of the large industrial centre of Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) in Eastern Europe. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis on the PAH loading differences among urban territories with different land use scenarios. Benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were used to calculate BaPeq in order to evaluate carcinogenic risk of soil contamination with PAHs. Results of the study demonstrated that soils within residential and industrial areas are characterized by common loads of PAHs generally attributed to high traffic activity in the city. Considerable levels of soil contamination with PAHs were noted. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 0.33 to 8.10 mg kg−1. A larger portion of high-molecular-weight PAHs along with determined molecular ratios suggest the predominance of pyrogenic sources, mainly attributed to combustion of gasoline, diesel and oil. Petrogenic sources of PAHs have a significant portion and define the predominance of low-molecular-weight PAHs associated with petroleum, such as phenanthrene. Derived concentrations of seven carcinogenic PAHs as well as calculated BaPeq were multiple times higher than reported in a number of other studies. The obtained BaPeq concentrations of the sum of 15 PAHs ranged from 0.05 to 1.39 mg kg−1. A vast majority of examined samples showed concentrations above the safe value of 0.6 mg kg−1 (CCME, 2010). However, estimated incremental lifetime risks posed to the population through distinct routes of exposure were in an acceptable range. One-way ANOVA results showed significant differences in total PAHs and the sum of seven carcinogenic PAH concentrations as well as in levels of FLU, PHE, FLT, PYR, BaA, CHR, BbF, BaP and BPE among parkland, residential and industrial land uses, suggesting the influence of the land use factor.
Highlights
There is a huge variety of toxic organic compounds, but in environment control practices around the world evaluation of contaminated areas is often based on priority listed pollutants
Numerous studies suggested that soil organic matter (SOM) content plays an important role in retention of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil (Chung and Alexander, 2002)
Results of the study demonstrated that soils within studied urban areas are characterized by common levels of total PAHs generally attributed to high traffic density of the city
Summary
There is a huge variety of toxic organic compounds, but in environment control practices around the world evaluation of contaminated areas is often based on priority listed pollutants This list includes, for example, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are ubiquitous organic pollutants in the environment (Wilcke, 2000). PAHs are a large group of aromatic organic compounds consisting of several hundred individual homologues and isomers containing at least two condensed aromatic rings. Their input to the environment has both natural and anthropogenic origins. The origin of PAHs in Antarctic soils is questioned, considering that it could have both natural sources, for example, decomposition
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