Spatial and seasonal variations of PAHs in soil, air, and atmospheric bulk deposition along the plain to mountain transect in Hubei province, central China: Air-soil exchange and long-range atmospheric transport

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) Vol. 291; p. 118139
• Main Authors: Hu, Tianpeng, Mao, Yao, Ke, Yanping, Liu, Weijie, Cheng, Cheng, Shi, Mingming, Zhang, Zhiqi, Zhang, Jiaquan, Qi, Shihua, Xing, Xinli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.12.2021
• Subjects: Air-soil exchange; Atmospheric bulk deposition; Long-range atmospheric transport; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Seasonal variations; Seasonal variations; Air-soil exchange; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Atmospheric bulk deposition; Long-range atmospheric transport
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118139

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a long-term environmental problem faced by human society. The sources of involuntary PAHs are complex, moreover, secondary emissions of fixed PAHs in the environment occur due to global change and disturbance of human activities. Samples of three environmental media including soil, air, and atmospheric bulk deposition were collected to observe the spatial distribution and seasonal variation, to discuss the source or sink of PAHs and their association with the air mass transport along the plain (Jianghan Plain, JHP) to mountain transect, and explore the geographic scope of the atmospheric transport influence. The results obtained showed that 16 individual PAHs generally existed in all environmental multimedia being studied, and the PAHs concentration in air, soil and deposition flux of atmospheric bulk was higher in JPH than in “Western Hubei Mountains” (WHMs). Considerably high PAHs concentrations were obtained from the soil, air and atmospheric bulk deposition in winter, summer, and both summer and winter, respectively. The air-soil fugacity fraction of PAHs indicated that the soil of Dajiuhu (DJH) is likely to be a sink. Backward air trajectory simulation confirmed that most of the air mass passes over the JHP before reaching DJH, combined with the (transport and persistence level III) TaPL3 model results JHP are acting as sources. However, seasonal changes lead to a shift in the roles of soil sources and sinks. The TaPL3 model calculated that PAHs are transported through water for a wider range of effects and a longer persistence, even up to 10 years. •Variations in spatial and seasonal of PAHs in a multimedium environment were observed.•Variations in spatial concentration of PAHs in soils and air are significant.•Fugacity fraction of PAHs suggested that Dajiuhu soils are likely to be a sink.•Seasonal changes lead to a shift in the roles of soil sources and sinks.•PAHs carried by air mass and water body have a wide range of transmission.