Sources, deposition flux and carcinogenic potential of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea (Gdynia, Poland)

Karolina Skalska,Andrzej Reindl,Marta Staniszewska,Agnieszka Witkowska,Anita Urszula Lewandowska,Lucyna Falkowska

doi:10.1007/s11869-019-00741-5

Karolina Skalska, Andrzej Reindl + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-019-00741-5

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Abstract

Concentrations of 16 PAHs of different molecular weight and carcinogenic potency were measured in PM2.5 aerosols collected in the coastal zone of southern Baltic Sea (Gdynia, Poland) during the end of the heating and beginning of the non-heating season of 2012. Obtained results showed that coal combustion (pyrogenic source) contributed to the highest emission of PAHs during the heating season. However, similar concentrations of highly carcinogenic PAHs were detected in the non-heating period. The analysis of prevailing wind directions, air mass trajectories and diagnostic PAH ratios revealed that in addition to land transport emission (mainly from diesel vehicles), the increase in sea shipping traffic during the non-heating season contributed to the high concentrations of detected carcinogenic PAHs. We conclude that the increasing maritime activity in the southern Baltic Sea region might have an adverse effect on both environmental and human health. Therefore, it should receive more attention by the Polish government as a pollutant source.

Highlights

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic compounds composed of more than one aromatic ring
The equation proposed by Seinfeld and Pandis (2016) was used to calculate the dry deposition flux of PM2.5-bound PAHs: Ia 1⁄4 Vd Â C; ð1Þ
The Benzo(a)Pyrene Equivalent (BaPE) is a parameter commonly used to assess the relative human health risk associated with exposure to carcinogenic PAHs

Summary

Introduction

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic compounds composed of more than one aromatic ring. They are typically classified according to their mass, with the division into low (2-3 benzene rings), medium (4 benzene rings) and high (5-6 benzene rings) molecular weight compounds being the most common (Ravindra et al 2008). Lighter compounds are volatile and primarily present in gaseous phase. They are widely dispersed in the atmosphere and can be washed out by rain (Karali et al 2018). On the other hand, are characterised by a higher affinity towards solid phase and can get readily adsorbed on particulate matter, which increases

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