Mean Concentrations Of Total Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in blood serum of adults living in high and low-traffic volume areas in Malaysia: A comparative cross-sectional study

Ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) originate predominantly from fuel combustion of motor vehicles and have the potential to affect human health. However, there is insufficient knowledge regarding serum PAHs health risks among the Malaysian population. This study aims to compare PAH concentrations, distributions, correlations, and health risks in 202 blood serum samples drawn from residents living in high-traffic volume areas (Kuala Lumpur) and low-traffic volume areas (Hulu Langat) in Malaysia. Solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed to extract and analyze blood serum samples. Questionnaires were distributed to obtain sociodemographic and contributing factors of serum PAHs. The mean total PAHs concentration in serum of the Kuala Lumpur group was 54.44 ng g−1 lipids, double the Hulu Langat group's concentration (25.7 ng g−1 lipids). Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IcP) and acenaphthene (ACP) feature the most and least abundant compounds in both study groups. The mean concentrations of IcP and ACP in the Kuala Lumpur and Hulu Langat groups were 26.8 vs 12.68 and 0.27 vs 0.14 ng g−1 lipids, respectively. High-molecular-weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs) composed 85% of serum total PAHs in both groups. Significant correlations were found (i) between the individual serum PAH congeners (p < 0.01) and (ii) between serum PAHs and total lipids (p < 0.01). According to the questionnaire data, high traffic volume and outdoor hobbies were the only contributory factors that confirmed significant relationships with serum PAHs (p < 0.001). Health risk assessment was computed using benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) equivalent (BaPeq) and demonstrated that the Kuala Lumpur group has twofold greater carcinogenic risk than the Hulu Langat group (16.11 vs 7.76 ng g−1 lipids). Our study reveals that traffic volumes notably impact serum PAH levels and general health among the Malaysian population.

Impact of PAHs compounds on air quality in Maragheh city: Probabilistic risk assessment and source apportionment

This study explores the concentrations and spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the ambient air of Maragheh city, Iran, while evaluating their potential health implications. PAHs levels were examined in PAHs-bound to particulate matter samples collected from diverse locations across the city. The results showed that in all sampling points, there was contamination by PAHs. The mean total PAHs concentration was 11.5 ng.m−3, with Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) emerging as the predominant compound. Comparative analysis with other cities revealed relatively lower BaP levels in Maragheh, yet surpassing WHO guidelines in 92 % of samples. Spatial assessment heightened pollution in areas characterized by heavy traffic and industrial operations. Based on PCA analysis, it appears that 74 % of PAHs compounds originate from vehicle emissions, 13 % from the combustion of petroleum, and 6 % from a possible petroleum source. Health risk appraisal uncovered escalated carcinogenic and mutagenic hazards, especially among children. While risks remained below USEPA thresholds, ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions are advised to mitigate PAHs pollution in Maragheh and similar urban locales. Future endeavors should prioritize source elucidation, health impact assessments, and public awareness initiatives to safeguard community well-being.

Characterization of the sources and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM2.5 and their relationship with black carbon: A case study in northern Taiwan

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and black carbon (BC) often coexist in PM2.5 because both form during the incomplete combustion of organic matter. These compounds are regarded as hazardous air pollutants with potential health effects, including respiratory and cardiovascular effects. In this study, to evaluate the health risks of PAHs and BC at an urban site in northern Taiwan, 16 priority PAHs and BC, identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, were analyzed and quantified in PM2.5 to determine their concentrations, their relationship with each other, and their likely sources. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of total PAHs and BC were 0.91 ng m−3 and 0.97 μg m−3, respectively, with a significant positive correlation between them, indicating the same emission sources. The results also indicated that fossil fuel combustion and traffic emissions were primary contributors to PAHs, with wood and biomass combustion playing a less prominent role. Among these 16 priority PAHs, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene served as major carcinogenic compounds, accounting for 89.0% of the total carcinogenic toxicity. Thus, the lifetime excess cancer risk resulting from PAH exposure was estimated as 8.03 × 10−6, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk to human health at the sampling site. Overall, this study highlights the need for future mitigation policies for traffic emissions and fossil fuel combustion for reducing the local emissions of BC and co-produced PAHs in northern Taiwan.

Introducing a land use-based weight factor in regional health risk assessment of PAHs in soils of an urban agglomeration

The high heterogeneity of land uses in urban areas has led to large spatial variations in the contents and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils. A land use-based health risk assessment (LUHR) model was proposed for soil pollution on a regional scale by introducing a land use-based weight factor, which considered the differences in exposure levels of soil pollutants to receptor populations between land uses. The model was applied to assess the health risk posed by soil PAHs in the rapidly industrializing urban agglomeration of Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Urban Agglomeration (CZTUA). The mean concentration of total PAHs (∑PAHs) in CZTUA was 493.2 μg/kg, and their spatial distribution was consistent with emissions from industry and vehicles. The LUHR model suggested the 90th percentile health risk value was 4.63 × 10−7, which was 4.13 and 1.08 times higher than those of traditional risk assessments that have adopted adults and children as default risk receptors, respectively. The risk maps of LUHRs showed that the ratios of the area exceeding the risk threshold (1 × 10‐6) to the total area were 34.0 %, 5.0 %, 3.8 %, 2.1 %, and 0.2 % in the industrial area, urban green space, roadside, farmland, and forestland, respectively. The LUHR model back-calculated the soil critical values (SCVs) for ∑PAHs under different land uses, resulting in values of 6719, 4566, 3224, and 2750 μg/kg for forestland, farmland, urban green space, and roadside, respectively. Compared with the traditional health risk assessment models, this LUHR model identified high-risk areas and drew risk contours more accurately and precisely by considering both the spatial variances of soil pollution and their exposure levels to different risk receptors. This provides an advanced approach to assessing the health risks of soil pollution on a regional scale.

Comparing liquid-liquid, solid-phase, and supported-liquid extraction for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in serum samples and their application for human biomonitoring

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants of great health concern. Epidemiological and animal studies have revealed the carcinogenic and mutagenic risk of PAHs, and therefore avoiding PAH exposure is a high priority. In this work, a comparison of liquid-liquid, solid-phase, and supported-liquid extraction was conducted for detecting PAHs in serum samples. The key features of mechanism, simplicity, recoveries, and background interference were compared for the three procedures. Solid-phase and supported-liquid extraction showed chromatography background interference and required method optimization to obtain satisfactory recoveries that were comparable to that of liquid-liquid extraction. Liquid-liquid extraction with hexane and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a fluorescence detection was employed for detecting PAHs in serum samples. The limits of quantification of the individual PAHs ranged from 16.0 ng/L to 40.0 ng/L, and recoveries were obtained from 69.6 % to 87.7 %. The method was used for human biomonitoring of the target PAHs in the serum of 120 volunteers from Guangzhou. The mean total PAH concentration in the serum of adults (2.60 μg/L) was significantly higher than that of teenagers (1.69 μg/L). The total estimated daily intake of PAHs was calculated for naphthalene, fluorene, and phenanthrene, and a low health risk was obtained by the evaluation of their non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks.

Geochemical Control of PAHs by Inflowing River Water to West Nanao Bay, Japan, and Its Influences on Ecological Risk: Small-Scale Changes Observed under Near-Background Conditions at an Enclosed Bay.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), even at low concentrations, have been shown to trigger changes in life cycles and provoke abnormal behaviors in numerous marine organisms. From May 2019 to September 2020, particulate and dissolved PAH concentrations were analyzed on the surface water of West Nanao Bay, Japan, to determinate their levels, emission sources, environmental pathways, and ecological risks at this remote but semi-enclosed bay. The 14 targeted PAHs were analyzed by HPLC-fluorescence detector. Mean total PAH concentrations were lower than 20.0 ng L−1 for most samples. Based on fluoranthene (Flu) to pyrene (Pyr) ([Flu]/[Flu + Pyr]) and benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) to chrysene (Chr) ([BaA]/[BaA + Chr]) isomeric ratios and a varimax rotated PCA, it was established that biomass combustion was the principal source in the particulate phase and that liquid fossil fuel combustion was the principal source in the dissolved phase. From salinity and turbidity distribution, riverine discharges were determined to be the major and continuous transportation pathway of particulate PAHs. It was observed that rain events had a role in the transport of dissolved PAHs. The risk quotients (RQ∑14 PAHs (NCs): 0–84.53) indicated that PAHs represented a very low to low acute environmental risk. The results of this study will contribute to filling the paradigm gap of ecotoxicological studies in remote areas, working as a booster for future in-lab studies of non-lethal implications of endocrine disruptors such as PAHs.

Levels and Compositions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Rainwater and Their Implication for Aquatic Environments in Urban Area in Saitama, Japan

In this study, we investigated concentrations and profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in rainwater and surface water samples collected in Saitama, an urban city located in Japan. The volume-weighted mean concentration of total PAHs in rainwater samples (dissolved + particulate) was 108.8 ng L−1 with a range of 17.6–192.9 ng L−1. Two and three benzene ring PAHs were predominantly detected, occupying 67.0% of the total concentration in rainwater samples. Individual PAH concentrations were negatively correlated with their K ow, suggesting that low-molecular-weight PAHs are preferentially scavenged owing to the higher hydrophilicity. The toxic equivalent calculated based on the relative potencies of individual PAHs showed high toxic contributions by chrysene and benz[a]anthracene in the rainwater samples. Those PAHs levels in rainwater were comparable or higher than those in adjacent river water. Correlation coefficient of PAH signatures between rainwater and surface water samples was high particularly in the dissolved phase, supporting the source/sink relationships of PAHs between wet deposition samples and receiving waters. The mean deposition flux of PAHs was 2000 ng m−2 and considered to increase with precipitation amounts.

Temporal Variations and Source Identification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Rainwater Collected in a Semi-Urban Area within an Industrial Area in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to investigate temporal variations and to identify source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between October 2019 and September 2020 in forty-one rainwater samples collected in a semi-urban area of Gebze, Kocaeli which is highly affected from by industrial pollution due to the existence of many organized industrial zones. Sampling was done for every rainy day during sampling period and the meteorological data (temperature, humidity, wind speed etc.) for sampling days were recorded. The collection of PAHs from the rainwater samples was done by using the SPE C18 cartridge with the help of hexane-acetone mixture (v/v) and gas chromatography system-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used for the measurement of PAHs. The calibration curves of PAHs, which presented greater than 0.995 of r2 values, possessed quite good linearity. Limit of detection (LOD) values for all PAHs were in the range of 0.10 ng/L and 0.29 ng/L, and the ranges of limit of quantification (LOQ) were from 0.32 ng/L to 0.98 ng/L. All PAHs reached their highest concentrations during the cold season, with a significant decrease in the concentrations from the cold months to the hot months with a few exceptions. Monthly mean total PAH concentrations ranged from 135.0 ng/L (in July) to 401.6 ng/L (in January). The compounds with the highest contribution to the total PAH concentration were naphthalene (28.20%), phenanthrene (16.84%), fluoranthene (12.44%), pyrene (9.31%) and benzo(b)fluoranthene (6.17%). The fraction of benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene defined by the competent authorities as high carcinogenic effects on humans to the total PAH concentration in rainwater samples were only 16.93%. When the results obtained from the ratios of different PAH compounds in diagnostic analysis (Fluoranthene/Pyrene ratio: 1.31; Fluoranthene/Fluoranthene + Pyrene ratio: 0.58 and Phenantherene/Phenanthrene + Anthracene ratio varied from 0.92 to 0.95) were evaluated together, all these ratios indicated the dominance of coal combustion in the source of PAHs. The results of benz(a)anthracene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, fluorene, naphthalene and pyrene were frequently lower than the previous studies in literature.

A comparison of PM&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2.5&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in summer Beijing (China) and Delhi (India)

Abstract. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants in air, soil, and water and are known to have harmful effects on human health and the environment. The diurnal and nocturnal variations of 17 PAHs in ambient particle-bound PAHs were measured in urban Beijing (China) and Delhi (India) during the summer season using gas-chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-Q-TOF-MS). The mean concentration of particles less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) observed in Delhi was 3.6 times higher than in Beijing during the measurement period in both the daytime and night-time. In Beijing, the mean concentration of the sum of the 17 PAHs (∑17 PAHs) was 8.2 ± 5.1 ng m−3 in daytime, with the highest contribution from indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (12 %), while at night-time the total PAHs was 7.2 ± 2.0 ng m−3, with the largest contribution from benzo[b]fluoranthene (14 %). In Delhi, the mean ∑17 PAHs was 13.6 ± 5.9 ng m−3 in daytime and 22.7 ± 9.4 ng m−3 at night-time, with the largest contribution from indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene in both the day (17 %) and night (20 %). Elevated mean concentrations of total PAHs in Delhi observed at night were attributed to emissions from vehicles and biomass burning and to meteorological conditions leading to their accumulation from a stable and low atmospheric boundary layer. Local emission sources were typically identified as the major contributors to total measured PAHs in both cities. Major emission sources were characterized based on the contribution from each class of PAHs, with the four-, five- and six-ring PAHs accounting ∼ 95 % of the total PM2.5-bound PAHs mass in both locations. The high contribution of five-ring PAHs to total PAH concentration in summer Beijing and Delhi suggests a high contribution from petroleum combustion. In Delhi, a high contribution from six-ring PAHs was observed at night, suggesting a potential emission source from the combustion of fuel and oil in power generators, widely used in Delhi. The lifetime excess lung cancer risk (LECR) was calculated for Beijing and Delhi, with the highest estimated risk attributed to Delhi (LECR = 155 per million people), which is 2.2 times higher than the Beijing risk assessment value (LECR = 70 per million people). Finally, we have assessed the emission control policies in each city and identified those major sectors that could be subject to mitigation measures.

Distribution, sources, and behavior of PAHs in estuarine water systems exemplified by Salt River, Taiwan

Water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediment samples were collected from Salt River in Taiwan and analyzed the concentrations of 16 types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The analysis results were used to examine the distribution, source, partition behavior, and potential ecological risks of PAHs in the estuarine water systems. The mean concentration of total PAHs in water, SPM, and sediment samples was 0.485–10.2 μg/L, 26.7–169 mg/kg dw, and 0.343–29.4 mg/kg dw, respectively. The highest concentration was found at the river mouth and decreased toward the river and sea with the tide. The distribution of the diagnostic ratios of PAHs showed that the combustion of coal and petroleum products are the main sources of PAHs in Salt River. The in site organic carbon normalized partition coefficients for SPM-water (K'oc(SPMW)) and sediment-water (K'oc(SedW)) were 2.8–4.5 and 4.6–6.0 (log units), respectively, increasing with the number of rings in PAHs. The values log K'oc(SedW) and log K'oc(SPM-W) showed a significant linear correlation with their octanol-water partition coefficients (p < 0.01), and their slopes were 0.427 and 0.316, respectively. The fugacity fraction was used to evaluate the exchange of PAHs in water-SPM-sediment systems. Results showed that in SPM, 2–4-ring PAHs tend to be released into water, whereas 5–6-ring PAHs in water tend to be adsorbed onto SPM. The exchange of PAHs between water and sediment occurs in the direction of adsorption onto sediment from water. The assessment of the mean risk quotient, total toxicity equivalence, and mean effect range-median quotient of PAHs showed that the PAHs in the water and SPM of Salt River may have moderate to high ecological risk. In sediment, PAHs in the lower reaches and estuary may pose moderate to high ecological risk, whereas PAHs in the middle and upper reaches show low to moderate ecological risk.

Characterization, risk assessment and potential source identification of PM10 in Tehran

This study was performed to investigate the concentration and the health risk of metal(loid)s, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Water-soluble ions in PM10 during cold and warm seasons in two different stations, rural and an urban area at Tehran. The characterization of the metal(loid)s, PAHs and Water-soluble ions associated to the PM10 were carried out by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and ion chromatography (IC), respectively. The average concentrations of ambient PM10 on cold and warm seasons were 79.6 and 67.9 μg/m3 in urban area and 57.3 and 58.8 μg/m3 in rural area, respectively. The elements from crustal source (Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Al, Si, Fe and Ti) were the major compositions for PM10 in warm season, and NO3− and SO42− were major component of PM10 in cold season at both sites. The mean concentrations of total PAHs were found to be 103.8 ± 81.2 and 67.1 ± 28.1 ng/m3 on cold and warm seasons for the urban area, and 31.85 ± 18.91 and 26.61 ± 15.72 ng/m3 in cold and warm seasons for the rural area, were indicative of the significance of mobile sources in Tehran.Results from this study indicate that for both sites, the carcinogenic risk caused by inhalation pathway PM10-bound PAHs exceeded the acceptable level of world health organization safe limits, indicating the need for more investigation to reducing potential carcinogenic risk.

Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Agricultural Soils of Teskelewu Community and Environs Impacted By Gas Flaring in Delta State, Nigeria

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are emerging ubiquitous environmental pollutants with reported carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic potentials on living organisms and humans. The objective of this study was to assess the concentrations of PAHs in agricultural soils of Tsekelewu Community and environs (Egbema Kingdom) in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria impacted by gas flaring using gas chromatograph system Agilent 5890 Series 11 gas chromatograph equipped with Flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The results revealed that station 1 and 2 were fairly contaminated; with mean total PAH concentration of 236.40 μg/kg and 279.75 μg/kg respectively. Stations 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 having mean total PAH concentration of 692.45μg/kg, 726.22 μg/kg, 739.82 μg/kg, 609.38 μg/kg, and 772.99 μg/kg were moderately contaminated. Heavy contamination was recorded in station 5 and station 8 with mean PAH concentrations of 1231.08μg/kg and 1224.33 μg/kg. The dominant PAHs in soil samples were benzo(a)anthracene, phananthrene and chrysene with benzo(a)anthracene having the highest concentration across all sample stations. The PAH concentration observed in this study is thus a serious cause for concern since soil contamination from gas flaring will likely continue. Measures that will attenuate PAHs concentrations in soil should be adopted as farmers are likely exposed by largely inhalation.Keywords: Hydrocarbons; Contamination; Agricultural soils; Gas flaring

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and some biomarkers in the green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)

Selected blood biochemical parameters (Glutathione S transferase: GST; Alanine aminotransferase: ALT; Aspartate aminotransferase: AST; Lactate dehydrogenase: LD and glucose) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in blood samples from 18 green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Iranian coastline on the northern shore of the Sea of Oman. Mean total PAH concentration in the blood samples was 17.802 ± 1.006 ng/gdw. The study found no significant correlation between blood biochemical parameters and PAHs (p > 0.01), however significant correlations were found between total PAHs and GST activity (p < 0.01). The GST activity measured in this study was useful as a first investigation into the biological effects of PAH pollution as well as in determining the bioavailability of pollution. The results suggest that PAHs might be a factor influencing a reduction in green sea turtle egg fertilization and hatching success. Further study is needed concerning the effects of PAHs and other pollutants on green sea turtles, and specifically on the potential impact on the fetal development of green sea turtles.

Trends and source attribution of PAHs in fine particulate matter at an urban and a rural site in Indo-Gangetic plain

PM2.5 samples were collected on day time and night-time basis at an urban and a rural site in Delhi region. A total of 11 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and analyzed for urban and rural sites on day time and night time basis respectively. The mean concentrations of total PAHs during day time were 96 and 123.1 ng/m3 for urban and rural sites respectively. For the night-time, the mean concentrations were 98.1 and 113.1 ng/m3 for urban and rural sites respectively. The highest levels of PAHs were observed during winter at both the sites. However, the least concentrations were observed during monsoon at the urban site while during summer at the rural site. The diagnostic ratios indicated vehicular emissions, coal, wood burning and fuel combustion as major sources of PAHs. The coefficient of divergence indicated statistically significant inter-site differences of all PAHs.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in breast milk of obese vs normal women: Infant exposure and risk assessment

Biomonitoring of human breast milk is one of the best ways to identify body burdens of contaminants and associated risk estimation. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate milk concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), associated exposure estimation, and the role of body mass index (BMI) in their bioaccumulation. A total of 45 breast milk samples were collected from 24 women with BMI > 30 (obese) and 21 women with BMI < 25 (18.5–24.9, normal) from 14 different counties surrounding Lubbock in west Texas/New Mexico (age range: 18–34 years). Samples were analyzed using high resolution gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. A total of 31/45 (69%) of samples tested positive for PAHs. Phenanthrene was the most frequently detected PAH followed by pyrene and fluoranthene. The mean of individual PAH concentration for all samples ranged from 0 to 25.1 ng/g milk fat; the sum of all means of individual PAHs was 146.9 ng/g milk fat. The mean concentration of total PAHs in the BMI > 30 group was 224.8 ng/g milk fat, which was approximately 4 times the mean concentration of total PAHs in the BMI 18.5–24.9 group (57.9 ng/g milk fat). None of the samples from the BMI 18.5–24.9 group contained higher molecular weight (5–6 rings) PAHs, while in the BMI >30 group, a total of 11 PAHs including listed EPA priority pollutants were observed. In this study, benzo(b)fluoranthene was found to contribute the highest percentage of carcinogenic PAHs (32.08%), yet it was not detected in any samples from the BMI 18.5–24.9 group. The estimated total PAHs intakes by infants via obese and normal mothers' milk were 1.26 and 0.32 (μg/kg/day), which are 0.049 and 0.003 (μg/kg/day) B[a]P equivalent, respectively. These findings suggest that breastfed babies from obese mothers are potentially at higher risk of exposure to carcinogenic PAHs.

Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Hydrocarbons in Soil Profiles of Auto-Mechanic Workshop: A Case Study of Akure City, Nigeria

The total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contents of soils collected at various depths (0–15 cm, 15–30 cm, and 30–45 cm) within automobile repair workshops in Akure metropolis, Nigeria were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed using gas chromatographic-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Long chain n-alkanes (n C8–C32) were detected across all soils. TPH concentration (in mg/kg) for the top soils ranged from 85.42 ± 3.42 to123.76 ± 4.37. The middle had a concentration range of 63.45 ± 3.47–90. 80 ± 3.97 and a range of 12.59 ± 3.34–72.97 ± 3.97 recorded for the 30–45 cm depths measured. Similarly, the mean total PAHs concentrations in top, middle and bottom soils ranged from 0.14 to 0.21 mg/kg, 0.11 to 0.17 mg/kg, and <0.01 to 0.11 mg/kg respectively. Positive correlation in TPAH and particle sizes and organic carbon was recorded (R2 > 0.890). Partitioning of the more hydrophobic high molecular weight (HMW)-PAHs occurs to a greater extent (72–93%) compared with low molecular weight (LMW)-PAHs. The overall results showed that the soils of the area were highly contaminated and might be detrimental to living existence, through contamination of ground and surface water.

Source identification of total petroleum hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM10 and street dust of a hot spot for petrochemical production: Asaluyeh County, Iran

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are important pollutants that affect public health in urban areas, especially in developing and oil-rich countries such as Iran. This assesses the relationship between TPH and PAHs in street dust and suspended dust, and investigates toxicity level in the urban environment of the most important petrochemical center in Iran. For this purpose, 21 and 48 street dust samples were collected for TPH analysis and PAH analysis, respectively, in Asaluyeh County. Moreover, seven air dust samples were taken for PAH analysis. TPH concentrations ranged between 240 and 4400 mg kg−1, with a mean of 1371.43 mg kg−1. The maximum ∑PAH concentration (6016.3 mg kg−1) was detected in a petrochemical complex while the minimum ∑PAHs content (16.93 mg kg−1) was measured in an urban area. The mean concentrations of total PAHs in street dust particles were 491.35 mg kg−1 in summer and 304.04 mg kg−1 in winter. The results indicated that PAH concentration in summer was higher. PAH sources were identified using both PAHs ratios and robust statistical methods such as Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), backward GEE, logistic regression, principal components analysis (PCA) in conjunction with multiple linear regression (MLR) and positive matrix factorization (PMF). The results showed that PAH species generally originate from pyrogenic sources and about 0.08% of TPH was typically PAHs. However, petrogenic sources of PAHs in the industrial areas were 11.2 times more abundant than in urban areas. Also, backward GEE model demonstrated that TPH is more influenced by HMW PAHs, particularly indene. Estimated incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) was higher than 10-4, showing that Asaluyeh inhabitants (especially children and indoor workers) are probably exposed to cancer risk, particularly through dermal contact and dust ingestion.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in different common sole (Solea solea) tissues from the North Adriatic Sea peculiar impacted area

This study extends our knowledge of the bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine organisms and investigates its possible determinants. PAH levels were measured in Solea solea tissue and in marine sediments collected from three areas of the northern Adriatic Sea characterized by different anthropic impacts (Venetian Lagoon, Po Delta, and fishing grounds off Chioggia). The possibility of differential PAH bioaccumulation in different tissues (muscle, liver and gills) was investigated by seeking relationships between mean individual and total PAH concentrations in tissue and sediment samples, the physicochemical properties of PAHs (rings and Kow), and some key biological variables (lipid content of tissues, body size, habitat). The present study demonstrated that the lipid content might not be the only determinant of PAH bioaccumulation in common sole tissues. The habitat characteristics, the tissue types and some physicochemical properties of compounds were closely related to PAH bioaccumulation.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon patterns in the city of Rio de Janeiro

In this study, the concentrations of 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH), considered priority by US EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency), in fine particulate matter (PM2.5), were determined in a forest reserve and in an urban area in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The PM2.5 samples were collected in the Tijuca Forest (TF) and on the Maracana campus of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), using PM2.5 high-volume air samplers, from November 2015 to April 2016. The organic matter was extracted, separated by liquid chromatography, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mean total PAH (excluding naphthalene, acenaphthene, and acenaphthylene) concentrations were 0.46 ± 0.61 ng m−3 and 1.12 ± 0.71 ng m−3 in PM2.5 collected at TF and UERJ, respectively. The diagnostic ratios suggested vehicular sources for both sites with no clear distinction between light and heavy vehicular sources. Cluster and principal component analyses were also used to clarify the possible PAH sources. Simulations of air mass trajectories confirmed the transport of pollutants from the city to the forest. Mutagenicity tests revealed that the PM collected in the UERJ presented mutagenic positive activity, likely for nitro-PAH and amino-PAH, which may be related to vehicular emissions. For the TF, although the forest was impacted by the pollutants, no positive activity was detected. Correlation and cluster analyses showed different PAH distributions for the TF and UERJ sites, which indicates that the TF receives the air masses from the city but is also impacted by local emissions.

Effect of smoking on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS) concentrations in catfish and tilapia muscles

The effects of smoking on proximate composition, energy values and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in raw and smoked samples of catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Crude protein was higher in the tilapia sample for both raw and smoked samples. There was significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in the lipid contents of raw and smoked samples of both species. Mean naphthalene concentration was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) than those of other PAHs analyzed in raw and smoked samples of both species. Mean benzo (a) pyrene (BaP) concentrations and total mean PAH concentrations (ΣmPAH) exceeded the EU limits in raw muscle samples. All the PAHs analyzed were detected in the smoked samples. Mean BaP concentrations and total mean PAH exceeded the EU maximum limits (2.0 and 10 μg/kg) in the muscle of smoked fish and fishery products. Total mean concentration of the four indicators of PAH contamination gave the values of 0.018 and 0.050; 0.014 and 0.012 mg/kg for raw and smoked samples of catfish and tilapia respectively. It could be inferred that the smoking process generally increased the mean total PAH levels in the fish samples and there is urgent need for relevant authorities to take appropriate action due to the public health implications of PAH contamination.Keywords: catfish, tilapia, smoking, hydrocarbons, gas chromatography