Characterization, risk assessment, and source estimation of PM10-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during wintertime in the ambient air of Basrah City, Iraq

Ahmed S Alshaheen; Ibrahim M Al-Naiema; Dhaferah M Tuama; Waleed H Al-Mosuwi

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138444

Characterization, risk assessment, and source estimation of PM₁₀-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during wintertime in the ambient air of Basrah City, Iraq

Chemosphere. 2023 Jun:326:138444. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138444. Epub 2023 Mar 21.

Authors

Ahmed S Alshaheen¹, Ibrahim M Al-Naiema², Dhaferah M Tuama³, Waleed H Al-Mosuwi³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Basrah, Basrah City, 61004, Iraq.
² Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Basrah, Basrah City, 61004, Iraq. Electronic address: Ibrahim.jasim@uobasrah.edu.iq.
³ Directorate of protect and improve the environment in the southern region of Iraq, Basrah City, 61004, Iraq.

PMID: 36958500
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138444

Abstract

In this study, the concentration and structure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with the ambient PM₁₀ in Basrah City, Iraq have been investigated for the first time. From December 2021 to February 2022, PM₁₀ samples were collected on quartz fiber filters, extracted using an optimized extraction protocol, and analyzed for the sixteen US EPA priority PAHs. The results indicated that 4- and 5-ring PAHs represent 52% of the total detected PAHs. The most abundant PAHs over the study period were chrysene (1.2 ± 1.5 ng m^-3), fluorene (0.9 ± 1.4 ng m^-3), and benzo[b]fluoranthene (0.7 ± 0.9 ng m^-3). Source identification suggested that PM₁₀-bound PAHs primarily originated from pyrogenic and petrogenic activities in Basrah City. In addition, the cancer risk associated to PAH exposure was assessed based on benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration and was found ranging from 0.07 to 6.32 ng m^-3; hence, it exceeded the threshold limit of 1.0 ng m^-3 established by the European legislation (EU, 2014). Benzo[a]pyrene was determined to be main contributor to total carcinogenic power of the detected PAHs, accounting for 50.3%, followed by dibenz[a,h]anthracene (22.3%). Similarly, benzo[a]pyrene represented a major contributor to PAH associated mutagenicity, accounting for 43.5% of the total.

Keywords: Air quality; Basrah City; Gas-particle partitioning; PAHs; Particulate matter; Pollution sources.

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants* / analysis
Benzo(a)pyrene
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Iraq
Particulate Matter / analysis
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons* / analysis
Risk Assessment

Substances

Air Pollutants
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Particulate Matter
Benzo(a)pyrene