Title of Paper:Source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the air of Dalian, China: Correlations with six criteria air pollutants and meteorological conditions

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Date of Publication:2019-02-01

Journal:CHEMOSPHERE

Included Journals:SCIE、PubMed、Scopus

Volume:216

Page Number:516-523

ISSN No.:0045-6535

Key Words:PAHs; Criteria air pollutants; Meteorological parameters; Source apportionment; PMF

Abstract:Concentrations and temporal variations of priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the air from a suburban area of Dalian, China were investigated for a 1-year period to assess their sources and potential correlations with six criteria air pollutants and meteorological parameters. The total concentrations of PAHs were in the range of 432-112.2 ng/m(3) (Mean = 52.37 +/- 23.99 ng/m(3)). Seasonality was discovered with the PAHs following an order of winter > spring > summer > autumn. The impacts of meteorological parameters on PAH levels were season-dependent. High temperature may increase the air concentrations of 4-ring PAHs during the non-heating period, whereas high relative humidity may raise the concentrations of 3-and 4-ring PAHs during the heating period. Correlations of PAHs with criteria air pollutants, such as SO2, NO2, and O-3, indicated that both fossil fuel combustion and photochemical oxidation influenced the air concentrations of PAHs. According to the source apportionment by diagnostic ratios and PMF model, coal combustion and traffic emission were estimated to be the main sources of PAHs in Dalian, followed by petroleum release and biomass burning. It was worth noting that the contribution of coal combustion to the PAH burdens increased from 26% to 45% due to the emission from domestic heating in winter. This extra emission needs a continuous concern in the future. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.