Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban soils of Hangzhou: status, distribution, sources, and potential risk

Abstract

Concentration, composition profile, spatial distribution, sources, and health risk of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in 69 surface soil samples collected from Hangzhou urban districts. ∑PAHs ranged from 180.77 to 1,981.45 μg kg(-1) with a mean of 611.28 μg kg(-1). Among different functional areas, a higher level of PAHs was found in the roadsides, followed by commercial districts, residential areas, parks, and greenbelts. The composition of PAHs was characterized by high molecular weight PAHs (4 ~ 6 rings). Principal component analysis (PCA) and PAH isomeric ratios indicated that PAHs mainly originated from combustion, especially vehicle exhaust. The incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) associated with exposures to PAHs in soil were calculated separately for children and adults under normal and extreme conditions. The results showed that ILCRs for urban soil of Hangzhou were acceptable. However, attentions should be attracted on the sites of high PAH concentrations because the ILCRs were closed to 10(-4) under extreme conditions, especially for children.