Source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban particulate matter of Tangshan, China

Abstract

The presence of particle-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated in mixed residential/light industrial, industrial and commercial zones in summer 2000 and winter 2001 in Tangshan, China. Thirteen PAHs were measured with the total average concentrations (ng/m3) of PAHs ranged from 26.5 to 313.6 in summer and from 142.4 to 672.4 in winter. The average concentrations of ωPAHs were 161.97 in summer and 326.80 in winter. PAH concentrations in mixed residential/light industrial zones were the lowest. Mixed residential/light industrial is a major land-use pattern in many cities in China. This study paid more attention to the source category in the mixed residential/light industrial zone. Particle PAH emissions may be contributed from industrial or domestic activities. Diagnostic ratio analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) show major sources to be crude oil (by industrial activities mainly) in summer; and coal combustion (by domestic activities mainly) in winter. In addition, coal combustion was a principal source in the industrial zone. Traffic (combustion engine) was an important source in commercial zones. Finally, analysis by coefficient of divergence got similar results. Copyright © Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research.