Particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the urban Northeast Region of China: Profiles, distributions and sources

In this study, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with PM10 were measured to examine the status, characteristics and sources of atmospheric PAH pollution in the industrial Northeast Region of China. Mean concentrations of total PAHs were 65.5, 40.0, 73.0 and 436.7 ng m−3 in the four seasons respectively. The calculated BaPeq concentrations in winter all exceeded the national standard, imposing serious PAH exposure risk. PAH concentrations varied between the cities, but PAH concentrations in different functional areas within a city did not show significant difference. In general, particulate PAH profiles were dominated by 4- and 5-ring compounds. Elevated proportions of 3-ring PAHs and 5-ring PAHs were found in winter and in summer respectively. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to identify potential sources of PAHs. Coal combustion activities were the main contributors of particle-associated PAHs in this region.