Measurement and receptor modeling of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Distribution and Sources of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons at an Industrial Region in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

“…In summer, the total PAHs were between 69.3 and 325 ng m -3 , with an average of 149 ng m -3 . The concentrations of total PAHs generally followed the seasonal variations of TSP (121 µg m -3 and 59.6 µg m -3 in spring and summer, respectively), consistent with a previous study which showed that worse air quality during the winter or early spring was to be expected (Chen et al, 2009). A comparison was made between total PAHs in spring and summer using the t-test.…”

“…The mean concentrations of PAHs in this study (158 ng m -3 ) were higher than those for urban areas reported in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (Chen et al, 2009), but were significantly lower than that have been reported in industrial/urban/rural sites (Fang et al, 2004) and a suburban area (Yang and Chen, 2004), both in Taichung, Taiwan. Since traffic sources are a significant contributor to PAHs emissions, the significantly higher PAHs concentrations of up to 1672 ng m -3 were obtained from Beijing (China) during summer (Liu et al, 2007) and Bursa (Turkey) in previous studies (Tasdemir and Esen, 2007;Esen et al, 2008).…”

“…Atmospheric PAHs can occur between particle and gas phases, depending on the ambient temperature, properties of PAH compounds, the interactions between PAH compounds and aerosols, and the fate of PAHs in the environment (Pankow, 1994). It is well known that both particle and gas phases of PAHs are regarded as significant hazards to human health through inhalation and/or ingestion (Chen et al, 2009;Cai et al, 2014). As such, investigating the occurrence and contributions of the various sources of atmospheric PAHs is important for reducing human exposure to these toxic chemicals.…”

“…Moreover, the unfavorable meteorological conditions (e.g., poor atmospheric mixing, declining visibility, and the sealand breeze circulation) also have a significant impact on the air quality (Wang et al, 2010). Although several studies have reported the spatial distribution and source apportionment of PAHs in urban areas, industrial areas, and sediments in Taiwan (Fang et al, 2004;Yang and Chen, 2004;Chen et al, 2009;Chen et al, 2012), those of atmospheric PAHs from petrochemical industrial complexes have not yet been adequately characterized.…”

Nature and sources of particle associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the atmospheric environment of an urban area

“…A seasonal behaviour of PAH statistically significant at 99% level was found with higher concentrations in the cold period and lower concentrations during the warm season. This seasonal behaviour has already been reported by different authors (Chen et al, 2009;Holoubek et al, 2007;Lammel et al, 2010) due to the influence of the meteorological conditions: low temperature, low solar radiation, low photochemical degradation and increased emissions by anthropogenic sources, like domestic heating, in the cold period.…”