Source analysis of particulate matter associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an industrial city in northeastern China

Abstract

Particle-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations were investigated at eight sampling sites during cold periods where heating is used (heating period) (February to March, 2005) and warm periods where heating is not required (non-heating periods) (August to September 2006) in the urban area of Anshan, an iron and steel city in northeastern China. Eleven PAH species were measured using GC-MS. The total average concentrations of PAHs ranged from 46.14 to 385.60 ng m(-3) in the heating period and from 5.28 to 146.40 ng m(-3) in the non-heating period. The lowest concentration of ∑PAHs was observed at Qianshan, a monitoring site far from the city and industrial area, and the highest concentration occurred in the site located at the factory area of Anshan Iron and Steel Incorporation. Moreover, ambient PAH profiles were studied and high molecular weight PAH (including 4-6 rings) species occurred in the high fractions. Toxic equivalent factors analysis gave the potential carcinogenic risks in Anshan. For the heating sampling period, BaP equivalent concentration is in the range of 41.98 to 220.83 ng m(-3), and 9.23 to 126.00 ng m(-3) for the non-heating sampling period. By diagnostic ratio analysis, traffic emission and combustion (coal or biomass) were potential sources for PAHs in Anshan. Finally, PCA results indicated the major sources were vehicle emission, steel industry emission, and coal combustion for both heating and non-heating seasons, which agreed with the results from the diagnostic ratio analysis.