Industrial source identification of polyhalogenated carbazoles and preliminary assessment of their global emissions

Abstract Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are emerging global pollutants found in environmental matrices, e.g., 3000 tonnes of PHCZs have been detected in the sediments of the Great Lakes. Recognition of PHCZ emissions from ongoing industrial activities worldwide is still lacking. Here, we identif...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yuxiang Sun, Lili Yang, Minghui Zheng, Roland Weber, Jerzy Falandysz, Gerhard Lammel, Chenyan Zhao, Changzhi Chen, Qiuting Yang, Guorui Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-06-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39491-5
Description
Summary:Abstract Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are emerging global pollutants found in environmental matrices, e.g., 3000 tonnes of PHCZs have been detected in the sediments of the Great Lakes. Recognition of PHCZ emissions from ongoing industrial activities worldwide is still lacking. Here, we identify and quantify PHCZ emissions from 13 large-scale industries, 12 of which previously have no data. Congener profiles of PHCZs from investigated industrial sources are clarified, which enables apportioning of PHCZ sources. Annual PHCZ emissions from major industries are estimated on the basis of derived emission factors and then mapped globally. Coke production is a prime PHCZ emitter of 9229 g/yr, followed by iron ore sintering with a PHCZ emission of 3237 g/yr. China, Australia, Japan, India, USA, and Russia are found to be significant emitters through these industrial activities. PHCZ pollution is potentially a global human health and environmental issue.
ISSN:2041-1723