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

• Published in: Water, air, and soil pollution Vol. 182; no. 1-4; pp. 235 - 243
• Main Authors: Fon, Tham Yasmin Wai, Noriatsu, Ozaki, Hiroshi, Sakugawa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Kluwer Academic Publishers 01.06.2007; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aerosols; Air pollution; Ambient temperature; Applied sciences; Aromatic compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Atmospheric pollution; Carcinogens; Correlation; Emission analysis; Emissions; Environmental monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; point source pollution; Pollutants; Pollutants physicochemistry study: properties, effects, reactions, transport and distribution; Pollution; Pollution abatement; Polyallylamine hydrochloride; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Principal components analysis; Seasonal distribution; Seasonal variation; Seasonal variations; Solar radiation; Vehicle emissions; Water pollution; Japan; Hiroshima; Asia; Honshu; Atmospheric condition; seasonal variation; emission sources; factor analysis; Factor analysis; Hydrocarbon; Environmental factor; Urban area; Polycyclic aromatic compound; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Persistent organic pollutant; Carcinogen; Seasonal variation; vehicular emissions; Aerosols; Pollution source inventory; Air pollution; Organic compounds; Principal component analysis; Concentration distribution; Anthropogenic factor
• ISSN: 0049-6979; 1573-2932
• DOI: 10.1007/s11270-007-9335-y

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.