Abstract
Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection in snow samples collected at 46 sites of Arkhangelsk as a world’s largest city above 64 degrees north latitude. The average, maximum and minimum PAH concentrations in snow were 168, 665, and 16 ng/kg, respectively. The average toxic equivalent value in benzo(a)pyrene units was 3.6 ng/kg, which is three-fold lower than the established maximum permissible concentration and considered an evidence of a low/moderate level of snow pollution with PAHs. The pollution origin was assessed using specific markers based on PAHs ratios in the studied samples. The pyrogenic sources of PAH emission were predominate, whereas the significant contributions from both transport and solid fuel combustion were observed. Benzo(a)pyrene concentrations are highly correlated with the levels of other PAHs with higher molecular weights.
Highlights
Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection in snow samples collected at 46 sites of Arkhangelsk as a world’s largest city above 64 degrees north latitude
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent hazardous organic compounds that enter the environment during incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels, food cooking, and the leakage of crude oil, mineral oils and bitumen during their industrial use and transportation[1,2,3,4]
In addition to the three mentioned hazardous properties, exposure of animals and humans to PAHs by inhalation, direct contact and ingestion can cause a number of other adverse effects, such as reproductive- and endocrine-disrupting action, neurotoxicity, and oxidative stress[13]
Summary
Sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection in snow samples collected at 46 sites of Arkhangelsk as a world’s largest city above 64 degrees north latitude. From this point of view, the study of PAH contamination of urban snow is of particular interest[26,27] In this regard, it is worth noting that snow is considered preferred analytical matrix for analysis of atmospheric pollutants due to its availability, easy sampling procedure and minimum matrix interferences. It is worth noting that snow is considered preferred analytical matrix for analysis of atmospheric pollutants due to its availability, easy sampling procedure and minimum matrix interferences It was successfully used for targeted determination and non-targeted screening of wide range of volatile and semi-volatile airborne pollutants, including a number of PAHs, in A rctic[28]. The most abundant compounds were PYR (17%), followed by PHE (15%), N (14%), and FLT (10%)
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