PM10-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Cancer Risk Estimation in the Atmosphere Surrounding an Industrial Area of Shanghai, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants in the urban atmosphere. In particular, atmospheric pollution has increasingly become severe in China due to its rapid urbanization and industrialization. In recent years, a few studies have presented information about POPs (such as PAHs, PCBs, OCPs) in aerosols at a molecular level in a limited number of cities such as Beijing, Qingdao and Guangzhou, as well as Hong Kong. Whereas, these cities are located in northern and southern China, respectively, where characteristics of atmospheric pollution might be different from those in the eastern cities, such as Shanghai. Atmospheric particle pollution is a persistent problem in Shanghai, a typical metropolis of China, which has several huge industrial regions. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the present state, properties and sources of PAHs pollution in Shanghai, PM₁₀ samples were collected at Coal-Fired Power Plant (CFP), Chlor-Alkali Chemical factory (CAC) and Coking and Chemical factory (CCF) in an industrial area, during the period, November 2004–September 2005. The concentrations of 16 PAHs were analyzed using the HPLC with UV visible detector. The results showed that the mean value of total PAHs in the industrial area was 64.85 ng m^?3; 3-ring PAHs were found at low levels, while 4-, 5- and 6-ring PAHs were found at high levels. The levels of BaP were 3.07 and 7.16 ng m^?3 at Chlor-Alkali Chemistry Factory and Coking and Chemistry Factory sites, respectively. PAHs levels exhibited distinct seasonal variation, with the highest level in autumn and the lowest in summer. The major source of PAHs at the industrial area was fossil fuel combustion, coal-burning, industrial furnaces including others. There was a very significant correlation of PAHs levels between CCF and CAC (R ²?=?0.91). The average concentration of BaP in the industrial area during the sampling period was 5.95 ng m^?3. It could be concluded the local population appears to be exposed to significantly high cancer risk (exceeding 2 ng m^?3 in autumn and winter) as compared to the population of other areas.     

A Study of PM2.5 and PM2.5-Associated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons at an Urban Site in the Po Valley (Bologna, Italy)

PM_2.5 and PAHs bound to PM_2.5 were investigated in downtown Bologna, from January to June 2003, in order to determine the burden of the fine fraction in the aerosol of a typical urban environment of the Po Valley, a critical area in Northern Italy in terms of atmospheric pollution. The sampling campaign was divided into three parts: a winter sub-campaign, an intermediate campaign where PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were simultaneously sampled and which identified PM_2.5 as the major component of PM₁₀, and a summer sub-campaign. Critical concentrations of both PM_2.5 and PAHs were observed in winter time; for example, in January 2003 the mean value for the 24-h average PM_2.5 concentration was 58 μg/m³, much higher than the annual arithmetic mean of 15 μg/m³ established by the US ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). Correspondingly, the mean value for benzo[a]pyrene (BAP) in PM_2.5 was 1.79 ng/m³, again higher than the annual mean of 1 ng/m³, required by European regulations for BAP in PM₁₀. In summer time the BAP concentration considerably decreases to 0.10 ng/m³ as the likely effect of photolysis and dilution on a higher boundary layer; PM_2.5 decreases too, but the mean concentration (22 μg/m³) is still higher than the NAAQS value. Further analysis included TEM microscopy of collected particles and correlations between PM_2.5, PAHs and gases (benzene, O₃, CO, NO₂, SO₂). All these observations identified on-road mobile sources as the main source of emissions and, in general, of the poor air quality level in the city of Bologna.     

Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Waste Wood

PAH-contaminated waste wood is a serious environmental problem. As an alternative to incineration and landfill disposal, wood containing PAHs may be detoxified by composting. The efficiency of this process depends on the composting conditions. The aerobic treatment of PAH-containing wood was therefore investigated under varying environmental conditions with particular attention to the kinetics of PAH degradation and wood mineralization. The composting of pine wood spiked with 2 g/kg phenanthrene, anthracene and pyrene each and subsequently artificially aged was studied on a laboratory-scale using a respiration analyzer. The temperature was found to highly influence both PAH degradation and wood decay. The fastest and most extensive PAH degradation and wood mineralization were found at 30°C. Higher temperatures particularly inhibited the degradation of anthracene and pyrene. The addition of urea markedly accelerated both PAH degradation and wood mineralization. Only small amounts of urea were needed to maximize PAH degradation, whereas higher amounts of urea were required to maximize wood mineralization. Urea hydrolyzes to ammonium carbonate, which in turn forms highly volatile ammonia. When more then 2 g/kg urea-N was added to the wood, excessive nitrogen disappeared as ammonia via the gas phase. Using nitrate instead of urea dramatically reduced both PAH degradation and wood mineralization. Although a slightly alkaline pH seemed to promote PAH degradation, it has to be taken into account that this experiment was carried out with nitrate as an N source rather than urea to avoid any N losses at high pH values. Glucose as a cosubstrate neither accelerated PAH degradation nor stimulated wood decay. Molasses as a cosubstrate actually inhibited PAH degradation since it contains much salt and alkalinized the rot material.     

Comparison between the macroinfauna of urbanized and protected beaches in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

The intertidal macroinfauna of five sandy beaches with similar morphodynamics conditions was studied to compare composition and structure between beaches near urbanized centers and protected beaches located in Rio de Janeiro State. The beaches were sampled in winter 1996 and summer 1997 according to a systematic design with stratification. A total of nine species were identified with the crustaceans being the most abundant and frequent animals. Species richness showed little variation between beaches while density of some species such as Emerita brasiliensis (Crustacea) and Phaleria testacea (Insecta) were lower at urbanized beaches when compared to protected ones. At the most urbanized beaches, Pseudorchestoidea brasiliensis was absent during both sampling periods. The negative relationships between human recreational activities (e.g., trampling) and density of macroinfaunal species was recently gained support and in Barra da Tijuca beach these relation is very clear. In the developed and most-visited sector, Barra (Alvorada), the amphipod Pseudorchestoidea brasiliensis was never collected whereas in the protected portion, Barra (Reserva), the same species occurred in high densities. Thus, our results suggested that the amphipod Pseudorchestoidea brasiliensis is more vulnerable to trampling than are other species.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in Water and Sediment from Gully Pots

A gully pot is often cleaned with the help of an eductor truck, which uses hydrodynamic pressure and a vacuum to loosen and remove the solids and standing liquid from a gully pot. This paper considers the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content in the gully pot mixture (water and sediment) after it has been discharged from the eductor truck. The results show that most PAH was attached to particles, and the dissolved phase represented approximately 22% of the total water concentration. No significant difference was found for the water phase between a housing area and a road, whereas a significant difference was found for NAP, ACE, FL, ANT, FLR, PYR, BaF, and BPY in the sediment at a 95% confidence level. Source identification showed that the PAH in the gully pot mixture came from mixed sources. Both the water and sediment phase exceed all or some of the compared guidelines. The result from this paper shows that not only the sediment needs to be discussed, but also the water phase created during the maintenance of different BMPs.     

Seasonal Deposition Fluxes of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Lake Biwa,Japan

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in the different parts of six bivalves species were determined. From the study conducted, it was found that the...     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Forest Floors of the Northern Czech Mountains

Forests of the Northern Czech mountains decline due to industrial emissions. To examine the state of soil contamination with PAHs we analyzed the concentrations of 20 PAHs in the O and A horizons of 4 lower and 4 upper slope sites under beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the Western (WE) and the Eastern Erzgebirge (EE, Kru?né Hory), the Isergebirge (IS, Jizerské Hory), and the Riesengebirge (RI, Krkono?e) at microsites affected and not affected by stem flow. Average PAH sum concentrations in the organic layers ranged between 2000 and 30000 μg kg^?1 increasing in the line WE <RI<EE<IS. PAH concentrations were significantly higher at upper than at lower slope sites indicating long-distance transport. Microsites affected by stem flow had significantly higher PAH concentrations but lower percentages of lower molecular PAHs than microsites not affected by stem flow. This was due to the water collecting effect of the beech bark. Lower molecular PAHs preferentially were sorbed to the bark or leached from the organic layers. PAH concentrations increased from Oi to Oa horizons but decreased in the mineral soil. This was the more pronounced the higher the molecular weight was. The slope of the regression line between the enrichment factors (concentration of a single PAH in the Oa divided by that in the Oi horizon) and the octanol-water partition coefficient decreased as the PAH concentration of the soils increased. This indicates that the microbial activity of organic layers may be reduced by soil contamination. Cluster analysis suggested that the sources of the PAH contamination in the WE were different from the other sites.     

SYNOPSIS Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Soil — a Review

PAHs are mainly produced by combustion processes and consist of a number of toxic compounds. While the concentrations of individual PAHs in soil produced by natural processes (e.g., vegetation fires, volcanic exhalations) are estimated to be around 1—10 μg kg⁻¹, recently measured lowest concentrations are frequently 10 times higher. Organic horizons of forest soils and urban soils may even reach individual PAH concentrations of several 100 μg kg⁻¹. The PAH mixture in temperate soils is often dominated by benzofluoranthenes, chrysene, and fluoranthene. The few existing studies on tropical soils indicate that the PAH concentrations are relatively lower than in temperate soils for most compounds except for naphthalene, phenanthrene, and perylene suggesting the presence of unidentified PAH sources. PAHs accumulate in C‐rich topsoils, in the stemfoot area, at aggregate surfaces, and in the fine‐textured particle fractions, particularly the silt fraction. PAHs are mainly associated with soil organic matter (SOM) and soot‐like C. Although the water‐solubility of PAHs is low, they are encountered in the subsoil suggesting that they are transported in association with dissolved organic matter (DOM). The uptake of PAHs by plants is small. Most PAHs detected in plant tissue are from atmospheric deposition. However, earthworms bioaccumulate considerable amounts of PAHs in short periods. The reviewed work illustrates that there is a paucity of data on the global distribution of PAHs, particularly with respect to tropical and southern hemispheric regions. Reliable methods to characterize bioavailable PAH pools in soil still need to be developed.     

Biological Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Amazonian Rain Forest

Hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) widely occur in the environment and are believed to be mainly anthropogenic. Here we present strong indications for large biological sources of the PAHs naphthalene, perylene, and possibly also phenanthrene in the Amazonian basin. Termite nests, plant wood, and soils were sampled. Naphthalene is detected in plant wood and is accumulated in the nests of termites from the genus Nasutitermes. Perylene is found in all studied termite nests including six different genera. Phenanthrene occurs at substantial concentrations in wood, soil, and termite nests.     

南湖水体多相介质中PAHs的分布特征及其来源分析

以南湖水体中的水、表层沉积物、生物膜和悬浮物为研究对象,对美国EPA规定的16种优控PAHs中13种PAHs的分布与富集特征进行了研究。结果表明,表层沉积物中检出12种PAHs,生物膜和水相中均检出11种PAHs,而悬浮物中只检出7种PAHs;生物膜和悬浮物富集PAHs的能力相近,比表层沉积物的富集能力大一个数量级;相关分析表明,生物膜和悬浮物富集PAHs的能力归因于其有机质（TOC）的含量高于表层沉积物中有机质的含量。根据菲/蒽比值和PAHs环数相对丰度对南湖表层沉积物中PAHs的来源进行了分析,发现南湖沉积物中的PAHs主要来自于化石燃料燃烧释放的污染。     

Accumulation of metals in macrophytes from water reservoirs of a power supply plant, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Aquatic macrophytes are well known accumulators for heavy metals, the reason why they are used as bioindicators for water quality and in phytoremediaton strategies. This study reports on the elemental concentrations in four free-floating aquatic macrophytes (S. auriculata; P. stratiotes; E. crassipes and E. azurea) growing in two water reservoirs (Santana e Vigário, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil) of an electric power plant that receive input from the polluted Paraíba do Sul River. Filtered water samples and water suspended solids from these environments were also analysed. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used as the principal method, allowing the determination of up to 41 elements, including the rare-earth elements (REEs) and other trace metals not assayed before in these macrophytes. The results show that all elements studied are accumulated by the macrophytes with concentration ratios (CR = [plant]: [water]) varying from about 1,000 to 200,000, based on the dry weight of the plant species. With a few exceptions, highest accumulations were observed in E. crassipes in which CRs increase in the sequence: Cu < Mo < Cr < Pb < Tl < Fe < La < Zn < Ce< Mn. Surprisingly high CRs (e.g. Ce: 74,000) and corresponding mass concentrations were observed for the rare-earth elements (e.g. ∑REE: 112 mg kg^?1), also measured in the water suspended particle fraction. The results show that this fraction acts as an effective sink for trace metals in the aquatic system studied and seems to play also an important role in the transfer of metals from water to the plant species.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Trace Metals in Sediments from a Coastal Lagoon (Northern Adriatic, Italy)

Surface sediments (0–5 cm) were analysed to provide information on levels, spatial trends and sources of the 16 USEPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), 15 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trace metals (copper, chromium, mercury, nickel and zinc) in channel and wetland habitats of Pialassa Baiona lagoon (Italy). The highest levels of PAHs, PCBs and Hg (3,032–87,150, n.d.–3,908 and 1.3–191 mg kg⁻¹) were mainly found at channel habitats close to industrial sources. Pyrogenic PAH inputs were significant, with a predominance of four-ring PAHs and combustion-related PAHs in both channel and wetland habitats. Among PCB congeners, chlorination class profiles show that penta- and hexachlorinated PCBs are the most prevalent homologues accounting for approximately 33% and 47% of the total PCB concentrations in channel sediments. Total toxicity equivalent factors (TEQs) of potentially carcinogenic PAHs varied from 348 to 7,879 μg kg⁻¹ and from 4.3 to 235 μg kg⁻¹ in channel and wetland sediments; calculated TEQs for dioxin-like PCB congeners at channel habitats ranged from n.d. to 86.7 μg kg⁻¹. Comparison of PAHs, PCBs and metal levels with Sediment Quality Guidelines suggests that more concern should be given to the southern area of the lagoon for potential risks of carcinogenic PAHs, dioxin-like PCBs and mercury.     

Spatial Distribution and Temporal Trends of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediments from Lake Maryut, Alexandria, Egypt

Surface and core sediments from Lake Maryut, Egypt, one of the most polluted lakes in Egypt, were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography?Cmass spectrometry. This investigation represents the first extensive study of the distribution and sources of PAHs in sediments from Lake Maryut. The total PAHs concentrations (sum of 39 PAH compounds) in surface sediments varied greatly depending on the sampling location and ranged from 106 to 57,800 ng/g dry weight with a mean concentration of 6,950 ng/g. The most polluted areas are distributed in areas which are mainly influenced by municipal sewage and industrial effluent discharges, suggesting a direct influence of these sources on the pollutant distribution patterns. PAH concentrations were one to two orders of magnitude higher in comparison with those reported for riverine/estuaries systems around the world. Molecular indices, such as pyrogenic index (PI), methylphenanthrenes to phenanthrene ratio, HMW_PAH/LMW_PAH, A-PAHs/P-PAHs, FL/FL?+?PY, BaP/BaP?+?C, IP/IP?+?BgP, and Per/??(penta-aromatics) were calculated to evaluate different hydrocarbon origins and their relative importance. In general, sediments from the main basin and northwest basin of Lake Maryut showed the highest PAH concentrations with petrogenic signatures, indicating major sources of petrogenic PAHs in the city. On the other hand, lower levels of PAHs with a pyrogenic signature were widely recorded in areas that are distant from anthropogenic sources. At other locations, both petrogenic and pyrogenic inputs were significant. The concentrations of perylene relative to the penta-aromatic isomers are dominant especially in locations associated with terrestrial inputs and in the deepest core sediments, indicating diagenetic origin for the presence of perylene. Temporal trends of PAH concentrations in both cores sediments were influenced by input pathways and followed the economic development and the environmental policies of the Egyptian Government in the last 15 years. Finally, PAH levels in sediments were compared with Sediments Quality Guidelines (effects range median?Ceffects range low) for evaluation probable toxic effects on organism. Results suggest an ecotoxicological risk for benthic organisms mainly in the main basin area, where high concentrations of PAHs were found in sediments influenced by anthropogenic activities.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Aerosol of Higashi Hiroshima, Japan: Pollution Scenario and Source Identification

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered to be atmospheric pollutants and well-known human carcinogens. This study analyzes the pollution scenarios of PAHs in the aerosol of Higashi Hiroshima, Japan. We examined the characteristics, the influences of meteorological conditions, the distribution and seasonal variation of PAHs in aerosol samples collected from June 2000 to May 2001. The concentration of PAHs in the aerosol of Higashi Hiroshima was ranging from 11.8 to 157.5 μg/g with a mean concentration of 63.4 μg/g. Results showed that there is positive correlation between aerosol PAH concentrations and ambient temperature but a relatively little correlation with solar radiation. Seasonal variation was observed with a higher concentration during winter and lower concentration during summer. Apart from that, principal component analysis and molecular diagnostic ratios were also used to characterize and identify possible PAHs emission sources. Results obtained strongly suggested that vehicular emissions appeared to be the major source of aerosol PAHs in this study although other sources do have some degree of influence.     

Changes in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Soil Biological Parameters in a Revegetated Coal Mine Spoil

Coal mining leads to severe land degradation and creates huge amounts of mine spoil. Coal mine spoil contains toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) derived from coal, which can be alleviated through revegetation with suitable tree species. The present study was aimed at evaluating the impact of different tree species (Albizia lebbeck , Cassia siamea , Delonix regia , and Dalbergia sissoo ) on the quality of coal mine spoil and changes in PAH concentration. Soil samples were collected from the revegetated coalmine overburden dumps of Jharia coalfield, Dhanbad, India and analysed by GC‐MS for 16 priority PAHs and soil quality parameters were analyzed by standard analytical protocols. Reclamation improved the biological properties of the mine spoil: microbial biomass (+59–176%), dehydrogenase activity (+46–198%), fluorescein diacetate hydrolase activity (+104–127%), phenol oxidase activity (+150–250%), and peroxidase activity (+93–181%). PAH concentration in revegetated mine spoil ranged from 0 · 51 to 1 · 35 mg kg⁻¹, with a significance reduction in total as well as individual PAHs. For individual tree species, total PAH reduction decreased in the order: C. siamea (81 · 6%) > A. lebbeck (55 · 6%) > D. regia (51 · 9%) > D. sissoo (51 · 5%). Correlation analysis showed significant association between the degradation of PAHs and soil biological properties of revegetated site. Microbial biomass carbon and soil enzymes were negatively correlated with PAH content in the mine spoil. But microbial stress indicators like respiration/microbial carbon ratio were not correlated, which revealed no adverse effect of PAH on soil microbes. Principal component analysis revealed that most of the biological parameters were closely associated with the degradation of low molecular weight PAHs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exposure to metallic mercury in workers in a tropical chloralkali plant evaluated through urine analysis,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil.

Occupational exposure to Hg vapour was investigated in 78 workers during three periods with different temperatures: August 1991, December 1991, and February 1992. Each individual was sampled twice in each period; before and after a six working days period (with a two free days interval). As an attempt to normalise Hg excretion urine was sampled always after a normal 8 hours night sleeping and immediately frozen. Mineralisation was done with acid and oxidant mixture and determination by cold vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (Varian VGA-76 and AA-1475). Analytical accuracy was controlled by routine analysis of certified reference material (Seronorm TM trace elements, Nycome As diagnostics Olso - Norway) and all samples were analysed in triplicates. Of a total of 355 samples analysed 13% were over the maximum limit for occupational exposure (50 µg.l-1 or ppb). From the 78 individuals investigated 13% presented average value smaller than 10 ppb; just 8% had the average over 50 ppb; 64% showed averages smaller than 30 ppb; and 28% were between 30 and 50 ppb. Seasonal variation was observed with the highest values in the hottest periods. High variability was observed in the same individual even within an interval of just few days (seven days). No increase of Hg in urine after the six days of exposure was observed when compared with the values after the two free days interval.     

生物质炭中多环芳烃的潜在环境风险研究进展

作为土壤改良剂和环境污染修复材料,生物质炭在近年来得以广泛应用。生物质炭制备过程中会产生一定量的多环芳烃(PAHs),对其潜在环境负面效应和风险尚缺乏应有的认识。本文总结了生物质炭中PAHs的形成机理、影响因素(包括原材料、裂解温度、裂解升温速率和保留时间等)、总量和生物有效含量及其分析方法,旨在为生物质炭在环境中的安全应用提供理论依据和技术参考。