Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric particulate matter (PM10) at a Southwestern Europe coastal city: status, sources and health risk assessment

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were assessed in 65 atmospheric particulate matter (PM10) samples collected at a coastal urban area of Southwest Atlantic Europe during the 1-year period. Analytical methodology was successfully validated in terms of limits of detection and quantification, linearity, precision and trueness by using ERM CZ100 reference material and analytical recovery studies. Status of PM10-bound PAHs and their relationship with other PM10 constituents (major ions, trace metals, equivalent black carbon (eBC) and UV-absorbing particulate matter (UVPM)) in an area where few data are available is provided. Benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo(e)pyrene (BeP) were observed to be predominant in all samples analysed with average concentrations of 1.6 and 1.5 ng m−3, respectively. Furthermore, high RSDs were achieved for PAHs during the sampling period, which reflects inherent heterogeneity of the atmospheric particles besides weather conditions variations. Statistical significant seasonal changes in PAH concentrations during summer and winter seasons were not found. Data obtained from molecular PAH indices, univariate analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) suggested a pyrogenic origin derived from the continuous harbour activity and marine and road traffic emissions at the studied urban site throughout the year. Additionally, major ion and metal(oid) concentrations in PM10 samples were also used as tracers of PAH origi...
Source: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research