Origins of regulated semi-volatile PAHs and metals near an industrial area and a highway in the region of Alexandroupolis, Greece

Karali, Dimitra; Loupa, Glykeria; Rapsomanikis, S.

doi:10.1007/s11869-019-00702-y

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The rural background site in the area of Xanthi expectedly registered the lowest winter–summer mean (0.17 ng m −3 ), given the relative absence of local sources. However, it is noteworthy that this value is considerably higher than the one (0.06 ng m −3 ) reported by 2-year measurements at a similar site in the same region of Greece (Thrace), near the city of Alexandroupolis, during 2009–2011 [ 82 ], i.e., prior to the onset of the Greek recession. This might signify that even the near-city background locations in Greece can be affected by the dramatically increased winter residential wood burning (RWB) emissions in the past decade.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 62%

Spatiotemporal Gradients of PAH Concentrations in Greek Cities and Associated Exposure Impacts

Tsiodra,

Tavernaraki,

Grivas

et al. 2024

Toxics

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To study the spatiotemporal variability of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and assess their carcinogenic potential in six contrasting urban environments in Greece, a total of 305 filter samples were collected and analyzed. Sampling sites included a variety of urban background, traffic (Athens, Ioannina and Heraklion), rural (Xanthi) and near-port locations (Piraeus and Volos). When considering the sum of 16 U.S. EPA priority PAHs, as well as that of the six EU-proposed members, average concentrations observed across locations during summer varied moderately (0.4–2.2 ng m−3) and independently of the population of each site, with the highest values observed in the areas of Piraeus and Volos that are affected by port and industrial activities. Winter levels were significantly higher and more spatially variable compared to summer, with the seasonal enhancement ranging from 7 times in Piraeus to 98 times in Ioannina, indicating the large impact of PAH emissions from residential wood burning. Regarding benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), an IARC Group 1 carcinogen and the only EU-regulated PAH, the winter/summer ratios were 24–33 in Athens, Volos, Heraklion and Xanthi; 60 in Piraeus; and 480 in Ioannina, which is afflicted by severe wood-burning pollution events. An excellent correlation was observed between organic carbon (OC) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) during the cold period at all urban sites (r2 > 0.8) with stable BaP/OC slopes (0.09–0.14 × 10−3), highlighting the potential use of OC as a proxy for the estimation of BaP in winter conditions. The identified spatiotemporal contrasts, which were explored for the first time for PAHs at such a scale in the Eastern Mediterranean, provide important insights into sources and controlling atmospheric conditions and reveal large deviations in exposure risks among cities that raise the issue of environmental injustice on a national level.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 62%