Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)-Bound n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Hong Kong Suburban Area
PM<sub>2.5</sub> samples were collected at Tung Chung (TC), Hong Kong, during four nonconsecutive months in 2011/2012 to determine the concentrations, seasonal variations, and potential sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes (<i>n</i>-C<sub>15&...
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/6/980 |
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| author | Yuan Gao Zhenhao Ling Zhuozhi Zhang Shuncheng Lee |
| author_facet | Yuan Gao Zhenhao Ling Zhuozhi Zhang Shuncheng Lee |
| author_sort | Yuan Gao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | PM<sub>2.5</sub> samples were collected at Tung Chung (TC), Hong Kong, during four nonconsecutive months in 2011/2012 to determine the concentrations, seasonal variations, and potential sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes (<i>n</i>-C<sub>15</sub>-<i>n</i>-C<sub>35</sub>). Samples were analyzed using the thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) method. The concentrations of particulate PAHs ranged from 1.26–13.93 ng/m<sup>3</sup> with a mean value of 2.57 ng/m<sup>3</sup>, dominated by 4-ring species. Phenanthrene (Phe) and fluoranthene (Flu) were the two most abundant species, accounting for 13% and 18%, respectively. The dominant sources of PAHs were coal and biomass burning. The inhalation cancer risk value in our study exceeded 1 × 10<sup>−6</sup> but was below 1 × 10<sup>−4</sup>, implying that the inhalation cancer risk of PAHs at the TC site is acceptable. The average concertation of n-alkanes was 103.21 ng/m<sup>3</sup> (ranging from 38.58 to 191.44 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), and C<sub>25</sub> was the most abundant species. Both PAHs and n-alkanes showed higher concentrations in autumn and winter whilst these values were lowest in summer. The carbon preference index (CPI) and percent contribution of wax n-alkanes showed that biogenic sources were the major sources. The annual average contributions of higher plant wax to n-alkanes at TC were over 40%. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:25:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-78cecade5dcf4196a4a6a6992994bfae |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:25:46Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-78cecade5dcf4196a4a6a6992994bfae2023-11-23T15:33:45ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332022-06-0113698010.3390/atmos13060980Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)-Bound n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Hong Kong Suburban AreaYuan Gao0Zhenhao Ling1Zhuozhi Zhang2Shuncheng Lee3Instrumentation and Service Center for Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, ChinaSchool of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Key Laboratory of Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean System, Ministry of Education, and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519087, ChinaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, ChinaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, ChinaPM<sub>2.5</sub> samples were collected at Tung Chung (TC), Hong Kong, during four nonconsecutive months in 2011/2012 to determine the concentrations, seasonal variations, and potential sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes (<i>n</i>-C<sub>15</sub>-<i>n</i>-C<sub>35</sub>). Samples were analyzed using the thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) method. The concentrations of particulate PAHs ranged from 1.26–13.93 ng/m<sup>3</sup> with a mean value of 2.57 ng/m<sup>3</sup>, dominated by 4-ring species. Phenanthrene (Phe) and fluoranthene (Flu) were the two most abundant species, accounting for 13% and 18%, respectively. The dominant sources of PAHs were coal and biomass burning. The inhalation cancer risk value in our study exceeded 1 × 10<sup>−6</sup> but was below 1 × 10<sup>−4</sup>, implying that the inhalation cancer risk of PAHs at the TC site is acceptable. The average concertation of n-alkanes was 103.21 ng/m<sup>3</sup> (ranging from 38.58 to 191.44 ng/m<sup>3</sup>), and C<sub>25</sub> was the most abundant species. Both PAHs and n-alkanes showed higher concentrations in autumn and winter whilst these values were lowest in summer. The carbon preference index (CPI) and percent contribution of wax n-alkanes showed that biogenic sources were the major sources. The annual average contributions of higher plant wax to n-alkanes at TC were over 40%.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/6/980fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)<i>n</i>-alkanessuburban area |
| spellingShingle | Yuan Gao Zhenhao Ling Zhuozhi Zhang Shuncheng Lee Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)-Bound n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Hong Kong Suburban Area Atmosphere fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) <i>n</i>-alkanes suburban area |
| title | Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)-Bound n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Hong Kong Suburban Area |
| title_full | Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)-Bound n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Hong Kong Suburban Area |
| title_fullStr | Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)-Bound n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Hong Kong Suburban Area |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)-Bound n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Hong Kong Suburban Area |
| title_short | Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>)-Bound n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a Hong Kong Suburban Area |
| title_sort | characteristics of fine particulate matter pm sub 2 5 sub bound n alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pahs in a hong kong suburban area |
| topic | fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) <i>n</i>-alkanes suburban area |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/6/980 |
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