RETRACTED: Size distribution and sources of 37 toxic species of particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during summer and winter in Baoshan suburban area of Shanghai, China

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.039

Science of The Total Environment

Volumes 566–567, 1 October 2016, Pages 1519-1534

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.039 Get rights and content

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal.

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. The authors have duplicated part of a paper that had already appeared in (Environmental Pollution 214 (2016) 149–160) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.002. One of the conditions of submission of a paper for publication is that authors declare explicitly that their work is original and has not appeared in a publication elsewhere. Re-use of any data should be appropriately cited. As such this article represents a severe abuse of the scientific publishing system. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process.

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Cited by (10)

Molecular characterization of organic aerosol in winter from Beijing using UHPLC-Orbitrap MS
2022, Science of the Total Environment
Citation Excerpt :
PAHs and their derivatives are typical atmospheric toxic organic compounds (Li et al., 2019a, 2019b). Among the 37 PAHs quantified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, the concentration of 1,8-NA was the highest (Wang et al., 2016a). In addition, 1,8-NA is the most abundant compound in oxygenated PAHs (Wang et al., 2016a).
The urban organic aerosol (OA) may pose a serious threat to human health and ecological environment. In order to understand the molecular characteristics of organic compounds in aerosols, atmospheric PM_2.5 samples were collected in Beijing and the extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography-Orbitrap mass spectrometry combined with negative-ion electrospray ionization, positive-ion electrospray ionization, and positive-ion atmospheric pressure photoionization sources. The combination of multiple ionization sources realized the comprehensive molecular characterization of organic compounds in OA, and 1976 (+APPI), 3038 (−ESI), and 4376 (+ESI) molecular formulas were identified in this study. Significant differences in the species, abundance, and number of subgroups (CHO, CHN, CHON, CHONS, CHOS, and CH compounds) were clarified. Chemical fingerprinting of organics in the PM_2.5 extract were investigated by high-throughput non-target compound analytical methods. Structure induction of organic compounds was realized through fragmentation prediction of MS/MS spectra with Sirius software. Furthermore, a total of 50 nitroaromatic formulas, 285 organosulfates (OS) formulas, 57 nitrooxy-OS formulas, 228 CHO- formulas with carboxyl groups, and 36 monoketone formulas were determined based on diagnostic fragmentation filtering. Our results provide important insights into the molecular composition and structural characteristics of OA, and establish foundation for exploring the interaction between composition and physicochemical properties.
High cancer risk from inhalation exposure to PAHs in Fenhe Plain in winter: A particulate size distribution-based study
2019, Atmospheric Environment
Citation Excerpt :
To further identify the differences of the sources of PAHs in different size ranges, several diagnostic ratios including BaA/(BaA + Chr), Ant/(Ant + Phe), Fla/(Fla + Pyr), IcdP/(IcdP + BghiP) and Fla/Pyr were analyzed which were widely used in many source identification studies. A BaA/(BaA + Chr) ratio that is higher than 0.35 signals combustion sources (i.e., incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and plant material), lower than 0.2 indicates petrogenic sources (i.e., unburned fossil material such as crude oils, coal, fuel, or various refinery products), while between 0.2 and 0.35 indicates the mixture of petroleum and combustion sources (Zhu et al., 2014; Wang et al., 2016b). The Ant/(Ant + Phe) ratio greater than 0.1 signals combustion sources, less than 0.1 indicates petrogenic sources (Budzinski et al., 1997; Duan et al., 2007).
Fenhe Plain is a typical region polluted combinedly by coal combustion and coking activities with serious air pollution problem, especially in winter. In order to clarify the size distribution and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in winter of the Fenhe Plain, the respirable aerosol particles (PM₁₀) were collected by cascade impactor, and 17 PAHs were analyzed. The results showed that the average mass concentration of PM₁₀-bound PAHs was 689.19 ng/m³, which was higher than that in many other domestic and overseas cities. The particulate PAHs mainly distributed in the <0.95 μm size range, accounting for more than 60% of the total. Under the combined influence of local emissions, low temperature, low intensity of solar radiation, dry atmosphere and Kelvin effect, naphthalene (Nap) displayed a bimodal distribution, while the rest of the 17 PAHs all followed a nearly unimodal size distribution. Wind and humidity were important factors which could influence the size distribution of PAHs. Coefficient of divergence (CD) analysis showed that PAHs between all of the sizes had a high spatial heterogeneity in source factor contributions, although diagnostic ratio indicated similar sources among them. Health risk assessment found that the lifetime cancer risk of exposure to particulate PAHs was 1693.76 parts per million people. Ultrafine particles (<0.95 μm) predominated the total carcinogenicity of the particulate PAHs, while benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), dibenzo(a,h)anthracene (DahA), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF), benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (IcdP) were the major carcinogenic components. Traffic exhausts contributed most to the carcinogenic PAHs, followed by coal combustion and coking. Our study can provide reference for the pollution control and residential health protection in Fenhe Plain, and bring more reasonable parameterizations to the estimation of PAHs outflow from this key region to other international regions.
Spatio-temporal distribution and sources identifications of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their alkyl homolog in surface sediments in the central Arabian Gulf
2019, Science of the Total Environment
The quantitative analysis of 18 parents and their alkyl homologs was performed in sediment samples from the central Arabian Gulf (Gulf) around Qatar Peninsula in six sequential seasons, winter 2014 to spring 2015, at 21 locations with a water depth range of 1.5–60 m. PAHs distribution was patchy with higher concentrations found inside semi-enclosed coastal areas like harbors and bays. The mean PAHs concentration was 112 ng·g⁻¹ dry weight with a range of 0.6 to 1560 ng·g⁻¹ and a variability coefficient of 2.4. The PAHs mean concentration was highest in the winter by a factor of 5 compared to mean summer concentration. A significant seasonal variability in the concentrations of ∑PAHs is mainly attributed to variability in the concentrations of the low molecular weight PAHs fraction and the less alkylated PAHs. Alkylated-PAHs were the most dominant PAHs comprising about 50% of the ∑PAHs, and with about 6 times higher than the mean concentrations in the winter compared to the mean summer concentration. The LPAHs concentrations correlated negatively with temperature and ∑PAHs correlated positively with % clay. Principal component analysis was used to identify sources of PAHs. PAHs in the Gulf have mixed sources with an estimated 57% from petroleum and 43% from pyrogenic sources. Coastal water hydrodynamics and lateral transport processes affect the distribution and composition of PAHs in the central Gulf.
Inhalation bioaccessibility of PAHs in PM<inf>2.5</inf>: Implications for risk assessment and toxicity prediction
2019, Science of the Total Environment
In this study, 46 PM_2.5 samples collected from Nanjing, China were analyzed for total PAH concentration, with 14 samples assessed for PAH inhalation bioaccessibility and dioxin toxicity. The concentration of 19 PAH compounds in PM_2.5 ranged from 4.03 to 102 ng m⁻³. When PAH inhalation bioaccessibility was assessed using simulated epithelial lung fluid, mean bioaccessibility values ranged from 3.21% (Benzo(c)fluorene) to 44.2% (Acenaphthylene). Benzo(a)pyrene concentration in 50% of the PM_2.5 samples exceeded the Chinese air quality standard of 2.5 ng m⁻³, however, when bioaccessibility was considered, all samples were below the criterion. Similarly, the cancer risk probability for all PM_2.5 samples was >10⁻⁴ incidences on the basis of total PAH concentration, while only 37% of samples posed a risk >10⁻⁴ after incorporation of bioaccessibility. Dioxin toxicity of PM_2.5-bound PAHs was also investigated by characterizing mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 superfamily members in human lung cells (A549 cell). Compared to total PAH concentration, the use of bioaccessible concentration was better at predicting dioxin toxicity of PM_2.5-associated PAHs (correlation coefficient R² = 0.40–0.83 with p < 0.05). This study indicates that PAH inhalation bioaccessibility is an important consideration when assessing and predicting the risk posed by PM_2.5 particles, which is particularly important for countries with deteriorating air quality.
Comparison of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in three urban areas in Lebanon
2018, Atmospheric Environment
Citation Excerpt :
The BaP concentration measured in a location to the east of the power plant was 4.5 times higher than the levels measured at a distance of around 4.8 km southeast of the power plant. In comparison to other cities in developed and developing countries, Table 1 summarizes the BaP concentrations reported in various cities in the past three years, (Albuquerque et al., 2016; Alves et al., 2017; Chen et al., 2015, 2016a, 2016b; Jadoon and Sakugawa, 2016; Khan et al., 2015; Khedidji et al., 2017; Shahsavani et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2016). The BaP levels reported in this study are 60%–99% higher than those in most cities around the world.
Reports on the levels and sources of PAHs in the Middle Eastern region are very scarce and mostly outdated. This study reports for the first time the ambient levels of PAHs during summer and winter at three coastal locations in Lebanon. Comparison between PAH levels in the three locations is established and the contribution of major emission sources to PAHs is evaluated.
Gas and particle phase PAHs were collected using a high-volume sampler fitted with a quartz filter and a polyurethane foam (PUF) holder at three coastal sites (American University of Beirut, Dora, and Zouk Mikael). The collected PAHs were then extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The dispersion of pollutants in the emissions from a local power plant was evaluated using The Air Pollution Model (TAPM), coupled with field measurements to quantify the BaP level in two nearby locations and one background location. One-way ANOVA tests and coefficients of divergence (COD) between paired sites were used for data analysis.
High heterogeneity was detected in the temporal and spatial variations of the PAH profiles and concentrations at the three coastal urban sites. Higher PAH levels were measured in winter than in summer at AUB and Dora, but not at Zouk Mikael. Major sources of pollution were identified as traffic, diesel engines, road dust, and oil fuel. Diesel engines are used as local sources of electricity during rotating blackout and oil fuel are used to run the inadequately maintained local power plant. The BaP levels measured near the power plant were approximately 10 times higher than those at the background site.
The annual average BaP concentrations of 2.07 ng m⁻³ and 2.9 ng m⁻³ at Zouk Mikael and Dora, respectively, exceeded the European Union (EU) air quality standard of 1 ng m⁻³. Owing to the lax governmental regulations, the BaP levels in Lebanon are higher by 60%–99% than those in most cities around the world.
Atmospheric deposition of polycyclic aromatic compounds and associated sources in an urban and a rural area of Chongqing, China
2017, Chemosphere
Citation Excerpt :
Moreover, OPAHs are end products of many biological and chemical degradation pathways, making them more persistent in the environment (Lundstedt et al., 2007). OPAHs and NPAHs are released together with PPAHs into the atmosphere as they all are the products of incomplete combustion, such as coal combustion and vehicle engine exhaust (Huang et al., 2014b; Kawanaka et al., 2007; Wang et al., 2016b, 2016c). They can also be formed from PPAHs in post-emission processes through chemical oxidation, photooxidation, and microbiological processes (Cerniglia, 1993; Haritash and Kaushik, 2009; Kojima et al., 2010; Yu, 2002; Zhang et al., 2011).
Monthly bulk (dry + wet) deposition samples were collected at an urban and a rural site in Chongqing, southwestern China during May 2014 to April 2015 for analyzing the contents of parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAHs) and three types of substituted PAHs (SPAHs) including oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), nitrated PAHs (NPAHs) and methyl PAHs (MPAHs). Annual average (±standard deviation) deposition fluxes of ΣPPAHs, ΣOPAHs, and ΣMPAHs were 536 ± 216; 221 ± 118, and 131 ± 41.9 ng/m²/d, respectively, in the urban area, and 347 ± 185, 160 ± 112, and 85.2 ± 32.0 ng/m²/d, respectively in the rural area. Deposition of ΣNPAHs (6.01 ± 3.93 and 3.91 ± 4.84 ng/m²/d) were about two orders of magnitude lower than those of ΣPPAHs. In the urban area, temporal variations of PPAHs and MPAHs fluxes were positively correlated with particle deposition, while the trends of OPAHs and NPAHs were probably controlled by secondary formation. In the rural area, SPAHs and PPAHs deposition fluxes had similar temporal trends but differed from particle deposition. High relative humidity in Chongqing likely played an important role in facilitating the partitioning of OPAHs to atmospheric aerosols and resulting in the relatively high OPAHs level in winter. Principle component analysis identified secondary formation (21.7%) and combustion emission (52.7%) as two important contributors to polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) deposition fluxes in urban area.

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