Effect of vehicle exhaust on the quantity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil

Abstract

PAHs are formed during the incomplete combustion of organic substances containing carbon and hydrogen and are one of the first atmospheric pollutants identified as carcinogens. Most of the PAH environmental burden is found in the soil (95%). Soil samples collected from different roadsides were analyzed for seven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The quantitative and qualitative analysis was carried out by UV Spectrophotometer. The individual PAH value ranged from 0.1 to 18.0 mg/kg. Phenenthrene and Pyrene were found to be the most abundant compounds. Vehicle emissions are the principal source of PAH in the Roadside soils. The highest concentration was found at site S2 (Hasthtnagri Roadside) which shows the highest traffic density.

Spatial distribution and seasonal variation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminations in surface water from the Hun River, Northeast China

“…In summary, the lower PAHs (two to four rings) predominated in surface water of the Hun River in the three periods (two-ring PAHs include Naph; three-ring PAHs include phenanthrene, anthracene, and fluoranthene; and four-ring PAHs include pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, and chrysene). It is consistent with reports that low molecular weight PAHs have higher water solubility and vapor pressures than their high molecular weight (Khan et al 2008;Guo et al 2007). …”

“…However, in site H13, the higher concentration of benzo(ghi)perylene was found, accounting for 36.56 % of the total PAHs. The possible explanation may be that site H13 is in the downstream of the Hun River, where the Qitaizi ferry is, and the six-ring PAH (benzo(ghi)perylene) is the characteristic PAHs of vehicle emissions (Khan et al 2008;Liang et al 2008;Liu et al 2009). So the most significant contributor of PAHs for site Qitaizi (H13) might be vehicle emissions.…”

Children, Soils, and Health: How Do Polluted Soils Influence Children's Health?

“…Fluorene and flouranthene are examples of the nonalternant PAHs (Neilson, 1998). There have been more than 160 PAHs recognized in nature (Khan et al, 2008). The large number of PAH species makes it impractical to quantify the concentrations of all of them.…”

Clean Soil at Child‐Care Centres and Public Playgrounds – An Important Part of Norway's Chemical Policy

“…The non-alternant PAHs may contain rings with more or fewer than six carbon atoms in addition to six-membered rings; fluorene and flouranthene are examples of the non-alternant PAHs (Neilson, 1998). More than 160 PAH compounds have been recognized in nature (Khan et al, 2008). BaP is one of the most carcinogenic PAHs .…”