PAH diagnostic ratios for the identification of pollution emission sources

Characterization and source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in river bank soils.

The Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs or polyaromatic hydrocarbons) have been extensively studied to understand their distribution, fate and effects in the environment (Haftka 2009; Laane et al. 1999, 2006, 2013; Okuda et al. 2002; Page et al. 1999; Pavlova and Ivanova 2003; Stout et al. 2001a; Zhang et al. 2005). They are organic compounds consisting of conjoined aromatic rings without heteroatoms (Schwarzenbach et al. 2003). Sander and Wise (1997) list 660 parent PAH compounds (i.e., aromatic substances without alkyl groups and consisting solely of fused rings connected to each other), ranging from the monocyclic molecule of benzene (molecular weight = 78) up to nine-ringed structures (MW up to 478). PAHs containing one or more alkyl groups are called alkyl PAHs. Our study deals with the parent compounds (without alkyl groups and/or heteroatoms), the alkyl PAHs (denoted as PAHn, with n referring to the number of methyl groups; see footnotes in Table 1), and certain heterocyclic sulfur PAHs (dibenzothiophenes). The term PAHs includes all the above, unless explicitly specified. In Table 1, we present the nomenclature of PAHs used in this paper.

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Source characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by using their molecular indices: an overview of possibilities

Levels, composition profiles and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban soil of Shanghai, China

Analytical methods for determining metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollutants in fish bile. A Review.

Occurrence of coal and coal-derived particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a river floodplain soil.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have gained serious attention in the scientific community due to their persistence and toxic potential in the environment. PAHs may pose a risk to ecosystem health. Along the Mosel River/Germany, a tributary of the river Rhine, PAHs were found at significantly high concentrations (> 20 mg kg−1, German national guideline value Z2, LAGA 1998). These high concentrations were detected during the construction of a storm water retention basin, in which the contaminated soils had to be removed and treated as hazardous waste. This resulted in higher construction costs for implementing flood prevention measures, but did not address the origin of these PAHs and its distribution along Mosel River. Hence, for future flood prevention projects, it is necessary to estimate the extent of PAH contamination along the Mosel River. The aim of the study is to determine the extent of PAH contamination in soils collected along Mosel and Saar River, and to obtain a first insight into the origin of the PAH contamination in this region. In total twenty seven sample sites were investigated. Forty two single samples were collected along a 167 km distance of Mosel River and six samples were collected along a 20 km distance of Saar River. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0 to 2 m with a stainless steel corer (▫ 8 cm). Each 2 m sample was further separated into two sub-samples (0–1 m and 1–2 m). The sixteen EPA PAHs and three additional PAHs (1methylnaphthalene, 2methylnaphthalene and perylene) were analysed with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For soil characterisation, total organic carbon (TOC), grain size, microscope and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were performed. Grain size for all soil samples was classified as a mixture of sand and silt. XRD analysis showed that all samples were dominated by quartz. Some clay minerals, such as illite and montmorillonite and feldspars, i.e. anorthoclase and orthoclase, were found in minor quantities. TOC ranged from 0.1% to 13%. Microscope analysis showed black coal particles in the majority of the soils collected from the Saar River and part of the Mosel River (downstream of the confluence of Saar and Mosel River). The black particles were not found further upstream along Mosel River. The sum of nineteen PAHs in the soil samples was up to 81 mg kg−1 dry weight (dw). Most soil samples showed a relationship between the presence of coal particles and PAH concentrations. Elevated PAH concentrations were found in all soil samples collected from Saar River and downstream Mosel River. Due to former coal mining activities in the Saarland, Germany, there is a strong evidence that the majority of the PAH contamination in the soils downstream Mosel River are linked to these mining activities. Upstream Mosel River coal particles were hardly found although PAH concentrations were high. Therefore another PAH source has to be responsible for these concentrations. PAH distribution patterns indicate a pyrogenic PAH input upstream Mosel River and a mixed input (petrogenic and pyrogenic) downstream Mosel River. Due to PAH distribution patterns, the contamination along the upstream of the Mosel River is probably linked to atmospheric depositions and other sources not linked to coal mining activities. Downstream Mosel River the PAH distribution patterns reflect former coal mining activities. We could corroborate for the first time that coal mining resulted in a serious problem of an extensive PAH contamination at Saar and Mosel River floodplain soils. Coal mining activities have a strong impact on the neighbouring regions (Johnson and Bustin 2006, Short et al. 1999, Stout et al. 2002). It is known that coals exhibit relative high PAH concentrations, especially in the low molecular weight PAHs (Chapman et al. 1996, Radke et al. 1990). However, PAHs in coals are hardly bioavailable (Chapman et al. 1996) and hence may have less adverse effects on exposed biota. They can act as sink for other hydrophobic contaminants. For the assessment of the environmental impact, a detailed study of the sorption and desorption behaviour of PAHs linked to coal particles should be carried out.

Carmen Pies

Papers

Characterization and source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in river bank soils.

Occurrence of coal and coal-derived particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a river floodplain soil.

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in floodplain soils of the Mosel and Saar River

Identification of carbonaceous geosorbents for PAHs by organic petrography in river floodplain soils

Sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to carbonaceous materials in a river floodplain soil.