Group Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

Novel and specific source identification of PAH in urban soils: Alk-PAH-BPCA index and “V”-shape distribution pattern

Soils in urban and industrial areas, especially in larger metropolitan areas such as the Ruhr area, Germany, are commonly characterized by severe anthropogenic overprinting due to urbanization processes including land development measures. Such urban soils often contain various anthropogenic substrate admixtures, like ash, coal, tailings, building rubble, industrial waste materials, as well as urban dust, soot, fly ash, and others. These admixtures often carry higher contents of pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Whereas elevated PAH concentrations are commonly attributed to non-point pyrogenic carbon sources like soot and particulate matter, petrogenic PAH sources are still largely neglected in this context.In this study, an extended sample set of 62 samples of PAH source materials and urban soils containing anthropogenic substrate components was investigated by combining extended PAH analysis of 59 PAH, alkylated PAH distributions and benzene polycarboxylic acid (BPCA) analysis with regard to petrogenic and pyrogenic PAH source identification. For more reliability of source apportionment by a more integrative signal, the alkylated PAH distributions of different PAH groups were combined according to their degrees of alkylation. Based on this combination, a new PAH alkylation index (ΣC0/(ΣC0+ΣC2)) was derived, which considers, in contrast to commonly used single PAH ratios, a series of non-alkylated and alkylated PAH.By comparison of this PAH alkylation index with the degree of aromatic condensation a new robust and economic method for identifying petrogenic, pyrogenic and mixed PAH sources within soil samples and sediments was developed. It is shown that coal and coal ash particles are a not negligible PAH source in urban soils of mining-dominated regions and can make up a large proportion of the anthropogenic substrate components encountered.Further analyses of samples with defined levels of petrogenic and pyrogenic PAH are necessary to finally evaluate the usefulness of this proposed new PAH-BPCA approach.

Particle-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a representative urban location (indoor-outdoor) from South Europe: Assessment of potential sources and cancer risk to humans.

PM10 -bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels were monitored at urban locations (outdoor/indoor) within the city of Madrid between May 2017 and April 2018. Fourteen PAH congeners were measured, potential emission sources were identified as were potential carcinogenic risks. The ΣPAHs averaged 0.577 and 0.186ng/m3 in outdoor and indoor air, with a high linear correlation per individual mean PAH and month. The largest contributors to the ΣPAHs were the high-molecular-weight PAHs. Principal component analysis-multiple linear regression results showed that emissions from diesel and vehicular processes explained 27% and 23% of the total variance of outdoor and indoor air, while combustion processes accounted for 30% and 25% in ambient and indoor air, respectively. During the cold season, biomass burning plus coal and wood combustion were additional sources of outdoor emissions. The heavy-, medium- and light-molecular-weight PAH originating from outdoor sources accounted for 72%, 80%, and ~60% of the indoor levels of the three respective PAH groups. Average BaP concentration was 0.029 and 0.016ng/m3 in outdoor and indoor air, respectively. Estimated BaPeq concentration averaged 0.072, 0.035, and 0.027ng/m3 for outdoor, indoor, and indoor-generated individual PAH concentrations, respectively. The estimated carcinogenic risk falls within the range of acceptable risk targeted by the US-EPA.

The resistance of Lolium perenne L. × hybridum, Poa pratensis, Festuca rubra, F. arundinacea, Phleum pratense and Dactylis glomerata to soil pollution by diesel oil and petroleum

Resistance of common European grasses to diesel oil and petroleum pollution is not well-known. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the level of resistance of selected grasses to pollution by diesel and petroleum using the pot experiment. The achieved results were compared with those determined for grasses grown on the non-polluted soil. Soil pollution with the tested products was found to significantly decrease the yield of all grasses, with the decrease being lower upon soil pollution with petroleum than with diesel oil. The most resistant to the pollution with diesel oil and petroleum were Phleum pratense L., Lolium perenne L. and Lolium × hybridum Hausskn. The degradation of particular groups of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) depended on their chemical properties, on the type of pollutant and grass species. The greatest degradation was determined in the case of BTEX, C<sub>6</sub>–C<sub>12</sub> benzines as well as 2- and 3-ring hydrocarbons, whereas the lowest in the case of 5-and 6-ring hydrocarbons and C<sub>12</sub>–C<sub>25</sub> oils. The most useful species in the remediation of soils polluted with diesel oil and petroleum turned out to be: Lolium perenne L., Lolium × hybridum Hausskn and Phleum pratense L., whereas the least useful appeared to be: Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata L. and Poa pratensis L.

Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface seawater of the GULF of Trieste (northern ADRIATIC)

Concentrations, spatial distribution and sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in surface seawater of the Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic. This area is one of the most industrialized and urbanized areas in the northern Adriatic with intense maritime traffic. The surface seawater samples were collected at 31 sites and total hydrocarbon concentrations were determined. In general, concentrations (0.1 to 43.2 μg l−1, mean 4.8 μg l−1, Chrysene equivalents) were higher in summer. Concentrations of total aliphatic hydrocarbons were from 17.2 to 2326.5 μg l−1 (mean 543.3 μg l−1). The major component was the unresolved complex mixture (UCM), comprising from 78% to 97% of the total aliphatic hydrocarbons. Total PAH concentrations varied from 89 ng l−1 to 294 ng l−1 (mean 179 ng l−1). The most contaminated sites were the marina of San Giusto and the municipal harbor of Piran.Different evaluation indeces were applied to determine the origin of hydrocarbons. The prevailing origin of aliphatic hydrocarbons is petrogenic, with the significant contribution of the biogenic at some sites. The results presented indicate the fresh inputs of hydrocarbons, which are subject to intense degradation processes. The PAH group profile showed the predominance of 2–3 ring PAHs. PAHs were of mixed origin with more pronounced petrogenic origin, presumably due to oil spills from ships and boats. The presence of a relatively high content of perylene in seawater is an indication of its terrestrial input.According to the presented results and compared to results from different areas worldwide, the seawater in the Gulf of Trieste can still be considered slightly to moderately polluted with PAHs.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban Soils Within the Different Land Use: A Case Study of Tyumen, Russia

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels in urban topsoils (0–10 cm) affected by Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant and oil refinery (Antipinsky Refinery) in comparison with residential area topsoils of Tyumen city. Anthropogenically transformed soils (Urbic Technosols) and artificial loamy soils enriched with organic matter with high pH values are widely represented in the residential area and industrial areas. The 12 priority PAHs in soils were analyzed by HPLC method with fluorescence detection. Urban topsoils of residential area have been contaminated mainly by benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, and benzo[g,h,i]perylene whereas enhanced concentrations of fluorene, phenanthrene, benzo[a]anthracene, and benzo[k]fluoranthene were observed in topsoil of industrial areas. The total amount of PAHs in the background soil was 113.5 μg kg−1. The PAH group composition in all studied soils was expressed mainly by high-molecular polyarenes. The maximum accumulation was found for phenanthrene, pyrene, and fluoranthene. The total amount of PAHs in urban soils exceeded the background level up to three times (341.0 μg kg−1). In the residential area, the total PAH content was twice higher than in the industrial areas of CHP-2 plant and the Antipinsky Refinery (482.7, 275.0, and 273.3 μg kg−1, respectively). The PAH content improvement connected with the soil properties, and it was also affected by long-term and intensive anthropogenic impact. It was found that the level of soil pollution in the residential area is typified as hazardous, in the impact area as moderately hazardous, and in the CHP-2 plant impact area, as permissible.

Monitoring of indoor polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using spider webs

Fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in the spider webs prepared in the laboratory and exposed to indoor air pollution in a defined period of time. We have selected homes differing in location (rural area vs. city), type of room (living room, kitchen, basement), inhabitants' habits (smoking cigarettes vs. non-smoking) and type of heating/cooking devices used (natural gas, liquefied gas, coal- and wood-fuelled heating). Webs from two species, from Agelenidae and Pholcidae families, were prepared and used for monitoring of PAHs. PAHs were characterised based on concentration, profile distribution, source apportionment by cluster analysis and diagnostic ratios. The concentrations of sum of 15 PAHs (μg g−1 dry weight) varied from 1.7 (bedroom in detached house in rural area) to 67.9 μg g−1 (room with heavy smokers in detached house in the city), and were dominated by 3-ring (6.89–57.1%) and 2-ring compounds (5.05–48.3%). The result of cluster analysis (CA) suggested two distinct groups of PAHs. The dominant PAH source was found to be mixed petrogenic and pyrogenic consisting of a mixture of cooking, smoking, heating and neighbouring traffic activities.

Екстракція ксенобіотиків групи ПАВ з насіння соняшнику

That paper is results of obtaining method for oil extract that concentrates lipophilic xenobiotics from oils seeds and can be used to prepare samples of sunflower seeds for measuring the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. In this work olive raw materials was grinded and homogenizated. The grinding time of each sample was individual and was varied from 0.5 to 8 minutes. The optimum conditions for homogenization of samples and conditions for xenobiotics extraction by means of maceration method are determined, optimal conditions are proposed for carrying out the procedure for preparing samples of sunflower seeds for the study of surfactant content. The investigated method of preparation of samples consists in obtaining an oil extract from a chloroform extract which was obtained by maceration, intensified by constant stirring at a rate of 200 revolutions per minute during 3 hours at a chloroform ratio:raw material equal to 1:10. Pieces are shredded to size of ≤ 2,0 mm of sunflower seeds used for extraction. Each sample of sunflower seeds and samples of sunflower seeds, after artificial contamination with solutions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons group xenobiotics analytical standards (PAHs: benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthenum) were investigated. The quantitative and qualitative composition of the oil extracts obtained from the lipophilic xenobiotics of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons group was investigated by the method of highperformance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector (HPLC/FLD) developed for surfactant laboratory control in vegetable oils at the NULES of Ukraine structural depatrment. The chromatographic control of xenobiotics of oil extraction comprises a step of specific solid-phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. During the study of vegetable oils, it was discovered that on the column for solid-phase extraction there is an accumulation of chemical compounds that in the chemical structure belong to the class of aromatic compounds. It has been established that all compounds of the polycyclic group tested in the sample are removed during the maceration process. For laboratory tests of sunflower seeds artificially enriched with surfactants, it is characteristic that the established concentration is greater than the concentration of xenobiotics, the percentage of xenobiotic extraction is greater than 100%. This is due to the fact that a sample of sunflower seeds had a certain level of contamination, the quantitative measurement of trace amounts of components of a mixture of xenobiotics is limited to the limit of the quantitative measurement and technical capabilities of the HPLC/FLD equipment. The addition of analytical standards for surfactant mixtures can reveal the content of total contamination within the maximum error of the method (up to 20%). This method of preparing samples of sunflower seeds can also be offered for the preparation of samples of samples of other oil-containing raw materials, such as flax seeds. In the oil extracts of samples of sunflower seeds, which were not artificially enriched with surfactants, a list of normalized xenobiotics of the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was found.

Efficiency of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Degrading Consortium in Resisting Heavy Metals During PAHs Degradation

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) comprised of many dangerous organic pollutants which affect human cell. The choice of phenanthrene and pyrene as model substrates was based on their classification among the most hazardous PAHs group by the US EPA where they belonged to low and high molecular weights PAHs respectively. Biodegradation of these PAHs is the best strategy that completely removes such pollutants in an environmentally friendly manner. However, the bacteria involved are challenged degradation difficulties as a result of PAHs inhibitory effects to the organisms. This research is aimed at formulating phenanthrene and pyrene degrading consortium that effectively perform best even in complex mixture with hazardous heavy metals. Different bacteria consortia were formulated using the compatibility testing and mathematical permutation approach and the best consortium selected. This selected consortium was then subjected to the degradation of both phenanthrene and pyrene separately in a combined mixture with the selected heavy metals from the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES) analysis. Consortium composition of C. sakazakii MM045 (2%, v/v) and Enterobacter sp. MM087 (2%, v/v) were found to be much effective during phenanthrene (500 mg/L) and pyrene (250 mg/L) degradation. This consortium also resisted more than 6 mg/L each of Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Vanadium (V) and Lead (Pb) in such complex degradation which was found to be more than the concentration in the natural habitat the consortium exists prior to isolation. Such performance makes the selected consortium to be an extremely efficient tool for the PAHs degradation application as many biodegradation agents were reported to be less effective when significant concentration of Ni, Cd, V and Pb are present.

Homogeneity study of candidate reference material (contaminated soil) based on determination of selected metals, PCBs and PAHs

Reference materials (RMs) are an indispensable part of QA/QC system and have played a critical role in the continual expansion of analytical capabilities of the analytical laboratories. The homogeneity study of the candidate for reference material is essential for the quality of reference material (certified reference material) used in quality assurance activities. The homogeneity study of candidate for reference materials of contaminated soil collected from a plot situated near the chemical factory “Rokita” in Brzeg Dolny (Silesian Region of Poland) for total metal content of Mg, Fe, Zn, Hg and analytes from a group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was carried out. The experimental design and study by using one way ANOVA showed no significant difference within and between bottle homogeneity and the material was found homogeneous. Total expanded uncertainty (k = 2) due to heterogeneity for all four metals and analytes from a group of PCBs and PAHs was determined within the range of 5–15%. The candidate for reference material of fortified soil was found to be homogeneous up to the minimum sample size of 100 mg for total Hg, 500 mg for Mg, Fe, Zn and 1 g from a group of PCBs and PAHs, and thus is suitable for certification.

Bioaccumulation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) by the Marine Clam, Mactra veneriformis, Chronically Exposed to Oil-Suspended Particulate Matter Aggregates.

Dispersion and biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons are significantly enhanced by formation of oil-suspended particulate matter aggregates (OSAs), but little is known about their adverse effects on benthic invertebrates or microbes. In this study, we investigated: (1) bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by the marine bivalve, Mactra veneriformis and (2) changes in composition and relative abundances of microbes, during 50-d of an OSAs feeding experiment. Total concentrations of PAHs increased more rapidly during the first week of exposure, peaked at Day 30, then gradually declined to the end of experiment. While bioaccumulation of PAHs by clams varied among the 20 target compounds, two major groups of PAHs were identified by cluster analysis. One group including 3-methylphenanthrene, 1,6-dimethylphenanthrene, 1,2,6,9-tetramethylphenanthrene, and benzo[ a]anthracene showed a fairly constant rate of accumulation, while the second group including 2-methyldibenzothiophene, 2,4-dimethyldibenzothiophene, 2,4,7-trimethyldibenzothiophene, 3-methylchrysene, 6-ethylchrysene, and 1,3,6-trimethylchrysene exhibited a bell-shaped pattern. Bioaccumulation of PAHs by clams was dependent on changes in abundance of Gammaproteobacteria, indicating active degradations of hydrocarbons by selected species. Six key species included: Porticoccus litoralis, Porticoccus hydrocarbonoclasticus, Cycloclasticus spirillensus, Alcanivorax borkumensis, Alcanivorax dieselolei, and Alkalimarinus sediminis. These results are the first to demonstrate interactions of OSAs and macrofauna/microbe in oil cleanup operations.

Biodegradation in seawater of PAH and alkylphenols from produced water of a North Sea platform

Operational planned discharges of produced water (PW) to the marine environment from offshore oil production installations, contain low concentrations of dispersed oil compounds, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylated phenols (APs). Biotransformation in natural seawater (SW) of naphthalenes/PAHs and phenol/APs in field-collected PW from a North Sea platform was investigated in this biodegradation study. The PW was diluted in SW from a Norwegian fjord, and the biodegradation study was performed in slowly rotating carousels at 13 °C over a period of 62 days. Naphthalenes/PAHs and phenol/APs biotransformation was determined by first-order rate kinetics, after normalization against the recalcitrant biomarker 17α(H),21β(H)-Hopane. The results from this study showed total biotransformation half-lives ranging from 10 to 19 days for groups of naphthalenes and PAHs, while half-lives for APs (C0- to C9-alkylated) were 10–14 days. Biotransformation half-lives of single compounds ranged from 8 to >100 days for naphthalenes and PAHs (median 16 days), and from 5 to 70 days (median 15 days) for phenols and APs. Four of the tested PAHs (chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(e)pyrene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene) and one AP (4-tert-butylphenol) showed biotransformation half-lives >50 days. This is one of a few studies that has investigated the potential for biodegradation of PW in natural SW. Methods and data from this study may be used as a part of Risk Based Approaches (RBA) for assessments of environmental fate of PW released to the marine environment and as part of the persistence related to risk.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivatives in airborne particulate matter: sources, analysis and toxicity

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are worldwide pollutants produced mainly during incomplete combustion and pyrolysis of organic substances. PAH derivatives are components with hydrogen on the aromatic ring substituted by carbonyl-, nitro- and hydroxyl-functional groups (N-PAH, O-PAH or OH-PAH), or a group of heterocyclic PAHs containing one sulfur atom in place of a carbon atom in the aromatic ring. PAHs and their derivatives can be either introduced in the atmosphere directly in this form as primary pollutants, or formed by homogenous and heterogeneous oxidation reactions. During the last decades, interest on studying PAH derivatives has increased because derivatives may be more harmful than parent compounds. PAH derivatives have been detected in the atmospheric particulate matter in numerous cities worldwide. PAH derivatives enter living organisms by inhalation, oral ingestion and dermal contact. In vivo and in vitro experiments together with epidemiological studies have shown the toxic effects of PAH derivatives, notably for compounds present in airborne and diesel exhaust particles. Here we review the sources, the mechanisms of formation, the physicochemical properties, the analytical methods, and the toxicological effects of PAHs and their derivatives in airborne particulate matter.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Cause Follicle Atresia and Apoptosis in Mouse Ovarian Follicles Cultured in Vitro that can be Reduced with the Activator of PI3K/Akt Pathway, 740Y-P

Objective: To explore the effect of the environmental toxicants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on the ovary. Methods: Female mice of child-bearing age were randomized to a control group and three PAH exposure groups at a dose of 0.1 μg/mL, 1 μg/mL or 10 μg/mL. The ovary was removed using aseptic technique, cultured in vitro for 10 days, and HE stained to observe structural change by light microscopy. Ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the number of ovarian follicles undergoing atresia was counted. Western blot was carried out to detect the expression of apoptosisrelated proteins (Caspase3,Caspase9, bax and bcl-2). Then we detected if these damages can be prevented by 740Y-P, an activator of PI3K/Akt pathway. Results: The number of ovarian follicles in the three PAH groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of apoptotic protein Caspase-3, Caspases9 and Bax was increased, and the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased in PAH groups. PI3K/Akt pathway prevented the apoptosis of the ovary. Conclusion: Exposure of female mice of reproductive age to PAH induced ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis that can be prevented with the activator of PI3K/Akt pathway 740Y-P.

Seasonal variation in health exposure to PM-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in selected sport facility

In this paper, for the one selected sport facility in Warsaw in heating and non-heating periods: 1) average concentration of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with respirable fraction of particulate matter (PM4); 2) health hazards from the PM4-bound PAHs; 3) PM4-bound PAHs origin are described. PM samples were collected for 10 days of June and 10 days of November simultaneously inside and outside of the sports hall and next were analysed in term of PAHs content. Obtained results allowed to calculate selected indicators of cumulative exposure to the PAH mixture and the specific diagnostic ratios for individuals compounds from the PAHs group which indicate origin of PAHs. It has been shown that the exposure of sports hall users to PM4-bound PAHs is significantly higher in heating than non-heating season. It also confirm that fossil fuels and biomass combustion in heating period in Warsaw have a strong influence on the level of health exposure to PAH mixture both outdoor and inside of the buildings.

Monitoring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) attenuation in Arctic waters using fluorescence spectroscopy

As oil exploration in the Arctic grows, the risk of crude oil exposure to the environment through spills and leakage increases. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a toxic component of crude oil that are highly insoluble and persist in the environment. Much is known about PAH degradation through abiotic and biotic factors and remediation strategies in temperate climates; however, little is known about the degradation of these compounds in the Arctic where cold temperatures and sea ice predominate and remediation strategies differ greatly. In this study, excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy was used along with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to analyze concentrations of PAHs, associated hydroxylated metabolites, and microbial biomass (as based on the protein-like indicators: tryptophan and tyrosine) in surrogate solutions to develop a correlation between PAH biodegradation and native microbial growth. EEMs generated from solutions of 16 EPA-listed priority pollutant PAHs, metabolites, tryptophan, and tyrosine were characterized. Based on maximum emission wavelength peak intensity (EMλmax), PAHs were found to best categorically group, in an effort to determine which PAHs would serve as effective indicators in comparison to bioindicators (microbial fluorescence-absorbing proteins, smaller labile PAHs, and hydroxyl-PAHs), when EEMs were divided into two regions at EM=400nm for all excitation wavelengths, establishing a line of division within the matrix to minimize spectral overlap between indicator groups. Five high molecular weight PAHs (benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene) exhibited peak fluorescence intensities above EM=400nm allowing them to serve as PAH indicators while bioindicators presented near or below the line of division. A microcosm batch-incubation experiment, consisting of two PAH treatment groups and a control, demonstrated degradation/dissipation of the high molecular weight PAHs (p<0.05). A half-life of 128 d was derived for the PAH group treated with a solution of the five high molecular weight PAHs (C0=512μg/L) and 31d for a treatment of only fluoranthene (C0=96μg/L). A three component PARAFAC model containing incubation samples and aqueous standards accounted for 98.8% variance. The combination of EEM fluorescence spectroscopy and multivariate analysis provides a valuable method for modeling degradation studies and monitoring PAH concentrations and microbial growth under Arctic conditions.

Colour spectrum and resin-type determine the concentration and composition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in plastic pellets

This study assessed the concentration and composition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in plastic pellets, collected from sandy beaches and considered different resin and colour tones. Results showed that polyethylene pellets, while displaying a greater range of total PAH concentrations did not differ significantly from polypropylene pellets. More importantly, both resin types demonstrated predictable increases in total PAH across a spectrum of darkening colour tones. Multivariate comparisons of 36 PAH groups, further showed considerable variability across resin type and colour, with lighter coloured pellets comprising lower molecular weight, while darker pellets contained higher weight PAHs. Overall, we show predictable variation in PAH concentrations and compositions of plastic pellets of different ages and resin types that will directly influence the potential for toxicological effects. Our findings suggest that monitoring programs should take these attributes into account when assessing the environmental risks of microplastic contamination of marine and coastal habitats.

Differences in the Occurrence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Geochemical Markers in the Dust Emitted from Various Coal-Fired Boilers

Organic compounds occurring in emitted fly ashes from bituminous coal and bituminous coal and biomass combustion in various boilers were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was applied to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for geochemical markers, such as n-alkanes, acyclic isoprenoids, steranes, pentacyclic triterpenoids (hopanes and moretanes), alkyl PAHs, and biomass markers. It was found that distributions of geochemical markers and presence are well preserved in fly ash. Particularly in fly ash from boilers of older types, thermal changes are small and mainly affect compounds of low molecular weight whereas, in fly ash from a fluidized bed combustion boiler, most geochemical markers were destroyed. It is possible that high molecular weight compounds survived the high temperature process when adsorbed in unburned or coked coal and/or biomass particles included in the dust emitted. PAH group profiles were made, while PAHs diagnostic indices and geochemical marker ratios were calculated and compared with literature data. Fly ash from coal and biomass combustion contains the highest PAH concentrations and shows the highest values of toxic equivalence (TEQ) factors among all boilers investigated. The results indicate that, whereas the distributions and ratios of geochemical markers are close to those of bituminous coals and can be applied to indicate source fuels in particulate matter, there are high differences between the values of diagnostic ratios found in this project and literature data. This indicates that PAH diagnostic ratios should be applied with care and confirmed by other data, e.g., those from geochemical markers, which may be recommended for research on the type of emission sources of particulate matter into the air.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) determined by pine needles and semipermeable membrane devices along an altitude profile in Taurus Mountains, Turkey.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed at different altitudes of Taurus Mountains in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD) and in half-, one-and-a-half-, and two-and-a-half-year-old pine needles. SPMDs were deployed for three different exposure periods: March to September (Summer), September to March (Winter), and March to March (whole year) at eight sites where needle samples were collected. The values of PAHs in needles were between 4.4 to 6066pg g/fw in half-year-old, 7.2 to 111,115pgg/fw in 1.5-year-old, and 9.7 to 85,335pgg/fw in 2.5-year-old needles. Mass of PAHs collected by SPMDs varied from <MDL to 8060ng/SPMD in winter, from 0.98 to 585ng/SPMD in summer, and <MDL to 9360ng/SPMD in whole year deployment, respectively. PAH profiles were dependent on the seasonal differences and locations. Roughly, clear decreasing trends with altitude were observed both with SPMD and needles for many individual and groups of PAHs except for the SPMD-summer short-time data. A cross-plot of Fluo/(Fluo+Pyr) vs Ant/(Ant+Phe) diagnostic ratios indicated grass/wood burning (possibly due to forest fires) in summer and petrogenic combustion in winter. Results of the study showed that SPMD and conifer needles are effective passive samplers to measure PAHs in the environment.

Assessment of the Harmfulness of Moulding Sands with Alkyd Resin Subjected to the High Temperature Influence

Abstract Out of moulding sands used in the foundry industry, sands with organic binders deserve a special attention. These binders are based on synthetic resins, which ensure obtaining the proper technological properties and sound castings, however, they negatively influence the environment. These resins in their initial state these resins are not very dangerous for people and for the environment, thus under an influence of high temperatures they generate very harmful products, being the result of their thermal decomposition. Depending on the kind of the applied resin, under an influence of a temperature such compounds as: furfuryl alcohol, formaldehyde, phenol, BTEX group (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene), and also polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be formed and released. The aim of the study was the development of the method, selection of analytical methods and the determination of optimal conditions of formation compounds from the BTEX and PAHs group. Investigations were carried out in the specially designed set up for the thermal decomposition of organic substances in a temperature range: 500 – 1 300°C at the laboratory scale. The object for testing was alkyd resin applied as a binding material for moulding sands. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of compounds were performed by means of the gas chromatography coupled with the mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Prediction of the Ultraviolet-Visible Absorption Spectra of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Dibenzo and Naphtho) Derivatives of Fluoranthene.

The annellation theory method has been used to predict the locations of maximum absorbance (LMA) of the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectral bands in the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) C24H14 (dibenzo and naphtho) derivatives of fluoranthene (DBNFl). In this group of 21 PAHs, ten PAHs present a sextet migration pattern with four or more benzenoid rings that is potentially related to a high molecular reactivity and high mutagenic conduct. This is the first time that the locations of maximum absorbance in the UV-Vis spectra of naphth[1,2- a]aceanthrylene, dibenz[ a,l]aceanthrylene, indeno[1,2,3- de]naphthacene, naphtho[1,2- j]fluoranthene, naphth[2,1- e]acephenanthrylene, naphth[2,1- a]aceanthrylene, dibenz[ a,j]aceanthrylene, naphth[1,2- e]acephenanthrylene, and naphtho[2,1- j]fluoranthene have been predicted. Also, this represents the first report about the application of the annellation theory for the calculation of the locations of maximum absorbance in the UV-Vis spectra of PAHs with five-membered rings. Furthermore, this study constitutes the premier investigation beyond the pure benzenoid classical approach toward the establishment of a generalized annellation theory that will encompass not only homocyclic benzenoid and non-benzenoid PAHs, but also heterocyclic compounds.