High Concentrations Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

Pollution characteristics, source apportionment and absorption spectra of size-resolved PAHs in atmospheric particles in a cold megacity of China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have the capability for solar radiation absorption related to climate forcing. Herein, pollution characteristics and absorption spectra of size-resolved PAHs in atmospheric particles in a cold megacity were comprehensively investigated. The mean concentrations of Σ18PAHs in all the 11 particle size ranges were 3.95 ± 4.77 ×104pg/m3 and 2.17 ± 1.54 ×103pg/m3 in heating period (HP) and non-heating period (NHP), respectively. Except for most PAHs with 2 and 3 benzene rings in NHP, most other PAHs showed a unimodal distribution pattern with the peak at 0.56-1.0 μm in both periods, which was caused by PAH emission sources. The PAH-related climate forcing was mainly caused by the solar radiation absorptions at ~325 (~330) nm and ~365nm. In general, the absorption intensities were higher in HP than NHP. The absorption intensity in the particle size range of 0.56-1.0 μm was the highest, and benzo[e]pyrene was the dominant contributor. In colder periods in HP, higher PAH concentrations caused more intensive PAHs-related climate forcing. This study provided new insights for pollution characteristics and absorption spectra of size-resolved PAHs in atmospheric particles, which will be useful for better understanding PAH-related climate forcing. Environmental ImplicationsPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a kind of brown carbon, which have the capability for solar radiation absorption related to climate forcing. Pollution characteristics of size-resolved PAHs can affect the concentration-corrected absorption spectra of particle-bound PAHs. In this study, the pollution characteristics, source apportionment, and absorption spectra of size-resolved PAHs in atmospheric particles in a cold megacity (Harbin City in Northeastern China) were comprehensively investigated. This study provided new insights for pollution characteristics and absorption spectra of size-resolved PAHs in atmospheric particles, which will be useful for better understanding on PAH-related climate forcing.

A systematic toxicologic study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on aquatic organisms via food-web bioaccumulation

Pollution-induced declines in fishery resources restrict the sustainable development of fishery. As a kind of typical environmental pollutant, the mechanism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) facilitating fishery resources declines needs to be fully illustrated. To determine how PAHs have led to declines in fishery resources, a systematic toxicologic analysis of the effects of PAHs on aquatic organisms via food-web bioaccumulation was performed in the Pearl River and its estuary. Overall, PAH bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms was correlated with the trophic levels along food-web, exhibiting as significant positive correlations were observed between PAHs concentration and the trophic levels of fishes in the Pearl River Estuary. Additionally, waterborne PAHs exerted significant direct effects on dietary organisms (P < 0.05), and diet-borne PAHs subsequently exhibited significant direct effects on fish (P < 0.05). However, an apparent block effect was found in dietary organisms (e.g., zooplankton) where 33.49 % of the total system throughput (TST) was retained at trophic level II, exhibiting as the highest PAHs concentration, bioaccumulation factor (BAF), and biomagnification factor (BMF) of ∑15PAHs in zooplankton were at least eight-fold greater than those in fishes in both the Pearl River and its estuary, thereby waterborne PAHs exerted either direct or indirect effects on fishes that ultimately led to food-web simplification. Regardless of the block effect of dietary organisms, a general toxic effect of PAHs on aquatic organisms was observed, e.g., Phe and BaP exerted lethal effects on phytoplankton Chlorella pyrenoidosa and zooplankton Daphnia magna, and decreased reproduction in fishes Danio rerio and Megalobrama hoffmanni via activating the NOD-like receptors (NLRs) signaling pathway. Consequently, an assembled aggregate exposure pathway for PAHs revealed that increases in waterborne PAHs led to bioaccumulation of PAHs in aquatic organisms along food-web, and this in turn decreased the reproductive ability of fishes, thus causing decline in fishery resources.

Personal exposure monitoring to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons bound to size-segregated aerosol

Air pollution is a global problem, where impaired air quality significantly damages human health and the environment. Twenty-four hours of personal exposure to size-segregated airborne particulate matter (PM) and associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in 129 non-smoking residents living in two Czech cities, Ostrava (an industrial area with high levels of air pollution) and Ceske Budejovice (an agricultural area with lower air pollution level) in various seasons between years 2018–2020. Particulate matter (PM) was sampled by cascade impactors based on their aerodynamic diameter (dae, μm) and divided into size fractions: coarse (2.5 < dae), fine (0.25 < dae < 2.5) and ultrafine (<0.25). Size distributions of 20 priority PAHs adsorbed on these PM fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in electron ionization (GC-EI-MS/MS). The total concentration of ∑20PAHs to which residents were exposed ranged from 0.09 ng/m3 to 47.18 ng/m3. A higher level of PAHs was detected in Ostrava (mean: 5.59 ng/m3) than in Ceske Budejovice (mean: 1.96 ng/m3). Statistically significant concentration differences between PAHs in individual seasons were observed in both sampled localities, with higher concentrations measured in winter than in summer. Fine and ultrafine particles predominated in the mass composition of the particulate matter. The ultrafine particle size contained 67–80% of total PAHs. Respiratory health risk was estimated based on inhalation cancer risk (ICR). Cancer risk attributable to personal inhalation exposure ranged from 2.8 × 10−8 to 4.3 × 10−4. In winter, higher cancer risk were found in Ostrava, mainly caused by a high concentration of carcinogenic PAHs bound to ultrafine particles. Overall, the personal monitoring data confirmed a higher air pollution burden in the industrial area and the winter season and highlighted the importance of focusing on ultrafine particles as the main carriers of potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic substances, such as PAHs. In addition, personal monitoring data provided more detailed and accurate information on individual-level exposures, revealing significant differences in exposure concentrations in people living in the same area.

Effect of different smoking times and temperatures on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in smoked sausages

Smoked pork and chicken sausages were prepared using three different time-temperature combinations; 60 &amp;deg;C for 4 hours, 75 &amp;deg;C for 3 hours, and 90 &amp;deg;C for 2 hours. The amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in these smoked products was estimated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The PAH compounds were identified using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and the retention time of that particular compound. The most potent carcinogenic PAH compound, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), was not detected in any of the treatments analyzed. The pork and chicken sausages were found to contain the following PAH compounds: Flu, BaA, Chr, BbF, and BkF. Chrysene was found in all samples in the range from 27.38 to 45.08 &amp;micro;g/kg. It was observed that a higher smoking temperature (90 &amp;deg;C) resulted in more PAH compounds in the sausages. Furthermore, the chicken sausages were found to have higher concentrations of PAHs, particularly Chr and BaA, than the pork sausages.

Historical trend of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a sediment core from Osaka Bay during the Meghalayan

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are produced by incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuel, yet PAHs have been rarely analyzed in coastal sediment cores as a tracer for human activities before industrialization. The aim of this study was to assess if the historical trend of PAHs can be related to past human activities. To this end, we have determined the concentrations of PAHs in a 9 m-long sediment core from Osaka Bay, which records history of the last 2400 years. The concentration of PAHs before the beginning of the 17th century CE, the beginning of the peaceful Edo period, was consistently low (&lt;100 ng g−1) and mainly comprised of smoke-derived PAHs reflecting the natural background. A relative higher abundance of 4−6 ring PAHs from the early 17th century CE and a higher PAH concentration from the early 18th century CE until approximately 1800 CE agreed with a population increase, Cu smelting activities and increasing combustion of charcoal. The constant PAH concentration until the late 19th century CE overlapped with a decline in the population in the Osaka area. An increasing PAH concentration from the late 19th century CE marked the beginning of industrialization in the Modern age. The peak in PAH concentration in 1945 CE was likely caused by burning of wooden structures due to air raids on Osaka City. A second peak around 1980 CE indicated the introduction of cleaner energies. We conclude that PAHs in coastal sediment cores can be used to reconstruct past human activities.

Characteristics of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Size-Resolved Particles in the Roadside Environment of Beijing: Seasonality, Source, and Toxicological Effects

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in size-resolved particles emitted from diverse sources are required for quantification to reduce the emissions in order to protect public health. Twenty-four PAHs in size-segregated particles in the roadside environment of Beijing were observed from 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022. The size distributions of PAHs were bimodal, with peak concentrations ranging from size fractions of 0.43 to 0.65 μm and 4.7 to 5.8 μm in all four seasons, respectively. The highest concentration of PAHs in fine particles (PM2.1) was 35.3 ng m−3 in winter, followed by 16.0 ng m−3 in autumn, 15.3 ng m−3 in spring, and 6.5 ng m−3 in summer. Conversely, the concentration of PAHs in coarse particles (PM2.1–9) ranged from 6.8 ng m−3 (summer) to 20.5 ng m−3 (winter) from low to high. The size fractions of 0.43–2.1 μm PAHs increased most from clear to polluted days, which could be ascribed to the heterogeneous reactions. Source apportionment using positive matrix factorization showed that four sources, namely biomass combustion, coal combustion, diesel vehicles, and gasoline vehicles accounted for PAHs with the estimation of 17.4%, 22.1%, 26.4%, and 23.2% to PAHs in PM2.1; and 19.6%, 24.3%, 23.6%, and 20.1% in PM2.1–9, respectively. Furthermore, we used the human alveolar epithelial cell (BEAS-2B) to assess the toxicological effects of size-resolved atmospheric PAHs. The results showed that the cell survival rate caused by fine particles was lower than that of coarse particles with the same concentrations of PAHs, which is mainly related to the higher content of highly toxic PAHs in fine particles.

Characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon from open burning of disposable COVID-19 facemask: Spatial distribution and risk assessment

The use of facemasks as a preventive measure against infection of the COVID-19 virus has some associated environmental impacts, especially in Subs-Saharan African countries where the used facemasks are being disposed of using open burning. Hence this study characterized Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) emissions from different COVID-19 facemask materials and determined the associated risk of open burning of facemask. Facemasks of different materials were sourced from open dump sites. Each material was combusted in an open reactor and the emissions were collected using A filter-sorbent sampling system. Analysis of PAHs in the sample was carried out using GCMS. The associated health risk was assessed using Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) and Hazard Quotient (HQ). The result showed the concentration of PAHs emission ranged ∑ PAHs 73.33 –368.16 µg/m3 while carcinogenic PAHs ranged ∑ CarPAHs 26.79–179.74 µg/m3. The result also showed the surgical and N95 facemask emits the highest concentration of PAHs. The modeled annual ground-level PAHs Isopleth reveals the presence of a high concentration of PAHs around the vicinity of the burning site after a year. Proper disposal of these facemask using controlled medical incinerator is highly recommended.

Sources, Occurrences, and Risks of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydro-Carbons (PAHs) in Bangladesh: A Review of Current Status

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution has emerged as a significant environmental issue in Bangladesh in the recent years, driven by both economic and population growth. This review aims to investigate the current trends in PAHs pollution research, covering sediments, water, aquatic organisms, air particles, and associated health risks in Bangladesh. A comparative analysis with PAHs research in other countries is conducted, and potential future research directions are explored. This review suggests that the research on PAHs pollution in Bangladesh is less well studied and has fewer research publications compared to other countries. Dominant sources of PAHs in Bangladesh are fossil fuel combustion, petroleum hydrocarbons, urban discharges, industrial emissions, shipbreaking, and shipping activities. The concentrations of PAHs in sediments, water, air particles, and aquatic organisms in Bangladesh were found to be higher than those in most of the other countries around the world. Therefore, coastal sediments showed higher PAHs pollution than urban areas. Health risk assessments reveal both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to residents in Bangladesh due to the consumption of aquatic organisms. According to this investigation, it can be concluded that there are considerably higher PAHs concentrations in different environmental compartments in Bangladesh, which have received less research attention compared with other countries of the world. Considering these circumstances, this review recommends that future PAHs pollution research directions should focus on aquatic ecosystems, shipbreaking areas, air particles, and direct exposure to human health risks. Therefore, this study recommends addressing the identification of PAH sources, bioaccumulation, biomagnification in the food web, and biomarker responses of benthic organisms in future PAHs pollution research.

Source apportionment of suspended particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10) collected in road and tram tunnels in Krakow, Poland.

Here, we present the results of a comprehensive study of air quality in two tunnels located in the city of Krakow, southern Poland. The study comprised three PM fractions of suspended particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5 and PM10) sampled during campaigns lasting from March 14 to April 24, 2016 and from June 28 to July 18, 2016, in the road tunnel and the tram tunnel, respectively. The collected samples had undergone comprehensive chemical, elemental and carbon isotope analyses. The results of these analyses gave the basis for better characterization of urban transport as a source of air pollution in the city. The concentrations of particulate matter varied, depending on the analysed PM fraction and the place of sampling. For the tram tunnel, the average concentrations were 53.2µg·m-3 (PM1), 73.8µg·m-3 (PM2.5), 96.5µg·m-3 (PM10), to be compared with 44.2µg·m-3, 137.7µg·m-3, 221.5µg·m-3, respectively, recorded in the road tunnel. The isotope-mass balance calculations carried out separately for the road and tram tunnel and for each PM fraction, revealed that 60 to 79% of carbon present in the samples collected in the road tunnel was associated with road transport, to be compared with 15-33% obtained in the tram tunnel. The second in importance were biogenic emissions (17-21% and 41-49% in the road and tram tunnel, respectively. Sixteen different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified in the analysed samples. As expected, much higher concentrations of PAHs were detected in the road tunnel when compared to the tram tunnel. Based on the analysed PAHs concentrations, health risk assessment was determined using 3 different types of indicators: carcinogenic equivalent (CEQ), mutagenic equivalent (MEQ) and toxic equivalent (TEQ).

The perturbation of PAHs on mosses in Aberdeen, Scotland, as a consequence of social restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic

Air quality and the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban environments are increasingly becoming a concern. Measuring air quality and PAHs, and linking these to specific activities, requires deploying and recovering sampling devices to capture and measure any changes. From May 2020 to June 2021, during the “lockdown” period of the COVID-19 pandemic, acrocarpous and pleurocarpous mosses were collected from five types of site in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, and the concentration of PAHs measured to track changes in PAHs as travel-related activities changed. The predominant types of PAHs found on mosses were of the four- and five-ring varieties, with the four-ring variety of PAH (medium molecular weight) becoming more dominant as the lockdown was lifted. However, for most sites, the concentration of PAHs was evidently perturbed by the transient lifting, reimposing, and then lifting of lockdown conditions, which either directly limited travel or changed people’s motivations to travel by car. Molecular diagnostic ratios or molecular marker parameters used to infer the source of PAHs varied little and were nearly always consistent with PAHs deriving from combustion in vehicle engines. Thus, even when travel was limited, PAHs were still derived from vehicle usage, although the overall concentrations on mosses were much lower. On average, the lowest PAH concentrations were found on mosses collected from a recreational park located the furthest from traffic. The highest PAH concentrations were observed on mosses collected from residential car parks during periods when the lockdown had been lifted. However, mosses from the same residential car parks had very low PAH concentrations during periods of travel restrictions, strongly suggesting that, for mosses, local factors and patterns of vehicle usage strongly determine their exposure to PAHs. Therefore, mosses within urban environments can be used for monthly monitoring of PAHs as they are able to detect changes induced by human behaviour.

Monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater of industrial city, Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hydrocarbons with more than two benzene rings in their molecules and are a class of harmful organic pollutants widely distributed in nature. This research aims to determine the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs (Naphthalene, Anthracene, and Chrysene (2, 3, and 4 Rings respectively) in different sources of treated and untreated wastewater collected from different sources during the years of 2021 and 2022. Eleven wastewater sources were collected from different industrial treated wastewater, farms, main treatment plants, tanning factory treated wastewater, tanning factory non-treated wastewater, Carton factories, Factories Lake, and Grease refining plants. PAHs were extracted by QuEChERS methodology and Analyzed by GCMSMS/TQD. The results of PAHs concertation in wastewater ranged from 19.55 -278.29 µg/l for Naphthalene, 21.09 -223.69 µg/l for Anthracene, and 14.05-123.11 for Chrysene. Tanning factory non-treated wastewater had the highest concentration of examined 3 PAHs. Results showed also the highest PAHs concentrations was in tanning factory non-treated wastewater, followed by carton factories, tanning factory treated wastewater, Grease refining plants, Factories Lake, and then the main treatment plant. These outcomes of this study can be used to deliver significant guidelines concerning habitants of the area for possible measures for controlling PAHs contamination in Riyadh industrial city to protect human health and ensure environmental and wastewater sustainability.

Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of the East China marginal seas: Significance of the terrestrial input and shelf mud deposition

To investigate the distribution, sources, influencing factors, and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in East China Marginal Seas (ECMSs) sediments, we measured the concentrations of 16 PAHs in 104 surface sediment samples collected from the ECMSs in 2014 and 2016. Total PAH concentration (∑PAHs) ranged from 4.49 to 163.66 ng/g dry weight (dry w), with 65.98 ± 33.00 (mean ± SD) ng/g dry w. The highest PAH concentrations and total organic carbon were observed in areas with fine-grained sediments in the Bohai Sea (BS), Yellow Sea (YS), and coastal East China Sea (ECS), indicating the prominent influence of regional hydrodynamics and sediment properties. The dominant PAH congener in BS and YS was BbF, whereas coastal ECS was Phe. The heterogeneity of PAH sources implies that terrestrial PAH input and shelf mud deposition have crucial roles in the source–sink processes of PAHs in a strongly human-influenced marginal sea.

Occurrence and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Factors Influencing Their Accumulation in Surface Sediment of a Deep-Sea Depression, Namely, the Tatar Trough (Tatar Strait, the Sea of Japan)

The concentrations of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediment of the Tatar Trough were studied. Despite the increase in PAH concentrations over recent decades, which is likely the result of the handling and transportation of fossil fuels, PAH levels and ecological risk were found to be low. The spatial pattern revealed that higher PAH concentrations were mainly in the deeper water sites, suggesting that trough slope failure transported the PAHs to the deeper part of the basin. There was no correlation between the PAHs and grain size or the PAHs and organic carbon that is related to the PAH input from a variety of sources and the heterogeneity of organic matter. The PAH composition, isomer ratio, and PCA identified two areas with different PAH sources. The most northern part of the Tatar Trough received petrogenic PAHs that are probably transported downslope from the northern Tatar Strait where fossil fuels are handled in some ports. Another trough part was polluted by the PAHs from the combustion of coal and biomass and the exhaust of marine vehicles. The minor presence of genes responsible for aerobic PAH destruction can be explained by the anaerobic degradation of PAHs or the spontaneous creation of favorable conditions that promote bacterial PAH oxidation.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments of highly polluted coastal area in the Red Sea: levels, spatial distribution, and risk assessment.

The southern part of the Jeddah coast faces a range of pollution challenges that can impact the water quality and ecosystem in the area. Pollution sources are represented mainly by treated wastewater (TWW), harbor activities, and atmospheric deposition from vehicle exhaustemissions. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the persistent organic pollutants that interfere with all environmental matrices and could cause humane mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. In the present study, 16 priority parent and 21 methylated PAHs (∑37PAHs) were assessed in the sediments of three hot spot coastal sites (Islamic Jeddah port, Al-Arbaeen, and Al-Shabab lagoons) to evaluate the factors affecting their spatial distribution, examine their probable sources and potential adverse effects. The total detected concentrations of ∑37PAHs ranged from 785.9 to 8359.8ng/g dw (average: 2296.3 ± 2017.3ng/g dw). The highest levels of ∑37PAHs were detected near TWW stations. The highest individual PAH congeners observed were phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene. PAH molecular diagnostic ratios pointed out different pyrogenic sources. In some specific stations, there was an overlap of petrogenic origin. The sediment samples contained high concentrations of methylated PAHs, with concentrations ranging from 558.42 to 6321.21ng/g dw and an average concentration of 1679.1 ± 1430.7ng/g dw. The sediment quality guidelines indicated that adverse biological effects are likely to occur at least at the two TWW disposal stations and the sediments in these stations are at risk. The values of the mutagenic equivalence quotient (MEQ) and toxic equivalence quotient (TEQ) of carcinogenic PAHs were recorded at 39.88 and 33.17ng/g, respectively.

Association between urinary concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and risk of endometriosis in the NHANES 2003-2006.

To explore the association between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and endometriosis risk. Data were obtained from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database. Urinary concentrations of PAHs were divided into quartiles, and weighted multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic spline, and subgroup analyses were performed. An extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm was used to screen the most important PAHs. After multivariable adjustments, 9-fluorene, 1-phenanthrene, 2-phenanthrene, and 4-phenanthrene exposure were significantly associated with a risk of endometriosis. Specifically, compared with the reference group, the odds ratios (ORs) of endometriosis for the fourth quartile were 3.52 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15, 10.77), 3.10 (95% CI: 1.37, 6.97), 4.86 (95% CI: 1.93, 12.21), and 2.67 (95% CI: 1.02, 7.01) for 9-fluorene, 1-phenanthrene, 2-phenanthrene, and 4-phenanthrene, respectively. In terms of continuous exposure, each one-standard-deviation increase in the urinary concentration of 9-fluorene, 1-phenanthrene, 2-phenanthrene, and 4-phenanthrene was independently associated with a 66% (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15, 2.40), 62% (OR:1.62, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.20), 68% (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.28), and 56% (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.19) increase in the risk of endometriosis, respectively, in the fully adjusted model. A significant association between the urinary concentration of 9-fluorene and the risk of endometriosis was also observed in participants who had a high body-mass index (≥25 kg/m2), with a corresponding OR of 2.61 (95% CI: 1.37, 5.00; P for interaction = 0.006). Our findings show that high urinary concentrations of PAHs were associated with a high risk of endometriosis in participants and that the urinary concentration of 9-fluorene was related with a high susceptibility of endometriosis in participants with overweight.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in estuarine sediments as a consequence of the mine tailings remobilization and transport in the Rio Doce basin.

The Fundão dam failure in 2015 severely impaired the economy, the lives of riverine communities, and the aquatic ecosystems of the Rio Doce basin in southeast Brazil. Several contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were transported downstream, deposited in the estuary, and released into the Atlantic Ocean. The high concentration of PAHs in estuarine sediments may pose ecological risks and deleterious effects to benthic organisms, so here we aimed at determining the source and fate of these compounds before and after the tailings' arrival. The mean concentration of the analyzed Σ16PAHs increased from 34.05 µg kg-1 in the prefailure period to 751.77 µg kg-1 one year after the arrival of the tailing. The classification of the sediment quality changed from low to moderate contamination. Our results suggest that there was PAHs remobilization by mine tailings along the Rio Doce basin. The target analytes exhibited mostly a pyrolytic profile from fossil fuel and biomass burning. In addition to other contaminants deposited in the estuary after the arrival of the tailings, this study revealed that the profile change of PAHs in the estuary region is a consequence of the mud's erosive power. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:169-178. © 2023 SETAC.

Soil Washing to Eliminate Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Petroleum Contaminated Soil - Temperature Effect

This study’s goals were to identify the components of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil samples polluted with petroleum and to ascertain how temperature affected the removal of PAHs pollutants from petroleum-contaminated soil. The concentration of contaminants in the soil samples decreased from 46.22-12.07 ppm to 77.01-30.06 ppm at a temperature increase of 20–160°C, as shown by the results of this study, which are also supported by the percentage removal efficiencies of 22.22–79.69% and 32.90–73.81% for samples M and S, respectively. It was further discovered that 160℃ was the ideal temperature range for soil washing to eliminate the pollutants. High removal efficiency values demonstrated the efficacy of the soil washing approach in removing pollutants with high PAH concentrations. This information can help in the creation of more successful and affordable soil remediation techniques.

The Effect of Fatty Acids and Meat Oils Combustion on PAH Formation in Smoke during Grilling Process

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Background: Oil droplets from foods can cause the formation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoke and contaminate grilled food. The aim of this research was to examine the effect of the number of carbon atoms, degree of double bonds, and types of fatty acids on the formation of PAHs in smoke during grilling process.&#x0D; Methods: Four fatty acids consisting of palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid, and three animal oils consisting of chicken skin oil, beef oil, and striped catfish oil had been studied. The smoke obtained during the combustion of fatty acids and animal oils was collected in a PUF/XAD-2/PUF absorption tube, and the analysis of 16 major PAHs was done using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). The experiments were conducted in three replicates.&#x0D; Results: Linoleic acid and oleic acid generated relatively higher concentrations of PAHs in the smoke, at 48.53 and 46.81 ppm, while stearic acid and palmitic acid provided PAHs in the smoke at 6.15 and 3.87 ppm. The rank of the highest PAH concentration levels in order of decreasing in smoke included striped catfish oil, chicken skin oil, and beef loin oil, with values of 50.22, 35.07, and 33.62 ppm, respectively. A variety of fatty acids were found in animal oils, but some fatty acids, such as arachidic acid (20:0), mead acid (20:3), behenic acid (22:0), erucic acid (22:1), cervonic acid (DHA) (22:6), lignoceric acid (24:0), and nervonic acid (24:1), were not found in chicken skin oil or beef oil. Fatty acids in the striped catfish oil had longer carbon chains (20:0, 20:3, 22:0, 22:1, 22:6, 24:0, 24:1) compared to other animal oils and a higher degree of double bonds, thus giving a higher PAHs concentration.&#x0D; Conclusion: It can be concluded that PAH concentration present in the smoke of animal oils depends on the number of carbon atoms, the degree of double bonds in the molecules, and the types of fatty acids.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

The Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Road Dust and Their Potential Hazard

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) found in the environment, posing significant health concerns for the population. This research aimed to assess the PAH levels in road dust near bus stops, identify their sources, and evaluate potential health risks. The analysis involved the use of a gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC-FID) to measure PAHs and absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) for source apportionment of PAHs. The results indicated that the measured PAHs concentrations in road dust ranged from 137.8 to 5813 ng g−1, with Indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene having the highest PAHs concentrations. The study identified three main sources of PAHs such as oil spills, fuel combustion, and coal burning, determined through APCS-MLR modeling. Further analysis revealed that the aggregate incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for children and adults were 2.16 × 10−6 and 2.08 × 10−6, respectively. Additionally, the hazard index (HI) for children exceeded that of adults, suggesting greater vulnerability to the potential health effects of PAH exposure. The findings indicate that long-term exposure to PAHs may negatively impact lung function and increase the risk of cancer and skin diseases. As a result, it is crucial for the local government to implement effective measures aimed at improving fuel quality and promoting green public transportation within the city. These initiatives may help mitigate PAH emissions and safeguard public health.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Occurrences in Biomass Char and Its Mitigation Approaches: A Mini Review

AbstractBiochar is a porous fine‐grained substance produced from the pyrolysis technology of biomass that can be commercially used as a soil conditioner to promote soil fertility. Biochar is characterized by high carbon content, stability, and porosity. However, organic pollutants residue of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is also formed during the pyrolysis of biochar. The high concentration of PAHs adversely degrades the quality of biochar for soil amendment application. Meanwhile, highly toxic‐PAHs concentration may pose a potential threat to both human health and the environment. The total PAHs yield is mainly influenced by the pyrolysis condition and feedstock resource. This review aims to discuss the conversion pyrolysis technology of biochar and factors that may influence the PAHs formation. The key research findings from this literature will lead to some strategies to minimize the PAHs compound in biochar by controlling the pyrolysis conditions through higher pyrolysis temperature, carrier gas flow, and prolonged pyrolysis time or by selecting suitable feedstock with lower lignin content.