Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nitropolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric Particles and Soil at a Traffic Site in Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) in total suspended particulates (TSP) and soil were measured at a traffic site in Hanoi, a typical motorcycle city of Vietnam. TSP was collected using high-volume air sampler on Pallflex 2500QAT-UP membrane filters. PAHs and NPAHs were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using fluorescence and chemiluminescence detectors, respectively. The average concentrations of total 10 PAHs and 10 NPAHs in soil varied from 3.4–43.7 ng g−1 and from 112–780 pg g−1 dry weight, respectively, which were much lower than those in TSP. The results showed that large part of the higher molecular weight PAHs in soil, especially benzo[ghi]perylene and benzo[b]fluoranthene came from the atmosphere. However, NPAHs profile showed a different pattern. 3-nitroperylene and 6-nitrochrysene were the most abundant NPAHs in soil, followed by 1-nitropyrene and 6-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene. The fate of NPAHs in soil varied depending on soil properties and chemical structure of NPAHs. The finding that the [NPAH]/[PAH] concentration ratios in soil were different from those in TSP could be due to bio-degradation and/or secondary formation of NPAHs in soil, depending on NPAHs properties.