Source and health risk assessment of soil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons under straw burning condition in Changchun City, China

Changchun, China is located in one of the world's three golden corn belts. As a key commodity grain base in China, Changchun plays a vital role in providing food security in the northeast. A total of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was analyzed to determine the influence of anthropogenic activities on the environmental quality of agricultural soils under straw burning conditions. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons soil contamination severity was evaluated using the Maliszewska-Kordybach method. The results indicated that the agricultural soils of Changchun are substantial contaminated with PAHs. Petroleum, biomass, and coal combustion are the primary sources of PAH and have been determined using principal component analysis (PCA) and the isomeric ratio approach. The degree of hazard to human health was assessed using toxicity equivalence and increased lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) factors, except in localized areas during adulthood, the general risk was found to be modest. This study provides important information on PAH exposure in agricultural soils in northeast China, and the findings aid in the exploitation of straw and the mitigation of soil environmental concerns, allowing northeast China to achieve green agricultural development.