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Reports from Chinese Academy of Sciences Describe Recent Advances in Hydrocarbons

2012 FEB 11 -- According to the authors of a study from Guangzhou, People's Republic of China, "Concurrent sampling of PM2.5 aerosol at a roadside of heavy traffic (1.2 m above ground) and on a nearby rooftop (50 m above ground) was conducted at a same location in urban Guangzhou in September. October 2006 and January 2007."

"The samples were analyzed for eighteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), together with major aerosol constituents and certain organic tracers for vehicular emissions (hopanes) and biomass burning (levoglucosan). Elemental carbon (EC) and hopanes were observed to be lower by 21-38% and 28-84%, respectively, at the rooftop than the roadside, confirming vehicular emissions as a significant local PM source. On the other hand, sulfate showed little vertical gradient, consistent with its secondary origin and its regional characteristics. The roadside-rooftop sample pairs have provided an opportunity in evaluating relative contributions of vehicular emissions and regional sources to ambient PAHs in this urban location. Concentrations of the total PAHs were similar to 43% lower at rooftop in the September 2006 samples while they were at similar levels between rooftop and roadside in the October 2006 and January 2007 samples. Sources of PAHs were investigated through comparing ambient data of PAH isomer pairs and PAH/EC ratios with relevant source profiles including those of Guangzhou roadway tunnel emissions, rice straw/sugarcane leave combustion, and industrial coal combustion. The 4-ring PAHs such as pyrene and fluoranthene had a shift in their dominating source from vehicular emissions in September and October to regional combustion source in January. A few major 5- and 6-ring PAHs such as benzo[ghi]perylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were likely heavily influenced by regional biomass burning emissions in all three sampling months. Benzo(a)pyrene-equivalent carcinogenic potency (BaPe(q)) was calculated to evaluate the cancer risk of carcinogenic PAHs on the public. BaPe(q) levels in PM2.5 were significantly higher at the roadside than those at the rooftop in September; however, levels of BaPe(q) at the rooftop were drastically elevated and became comparable to those at the roadside in October and January due to regional sources dominating the carcinogenic PAHs," wrote B. Gao and colleagues, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The researchers concluded: "This suggests that it is important to control regional combustion sources to reduce air pollution-related health risk in urban Guangzhou."

Gao and colleagues published their study in Atmospheric Environment (Roadside and rooftop measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM2.5 in urban Guangzhou: Evaluation of vehicular and regional combustion source contributions. Atmospheric Environment, 2011;45(39):7184-7191).

For more information, contact B. Gao, Chinese Academy Sci, Pearl River Delta Res Center Environm Pollut & Contr, Guangzhou 510640, People's Republic of China.

Publisher contact information for the journal Atmospheric Environment is: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.

Keywords: City:Guangzhou, Country:People's Republic of China, Region:Asia, Organic Chemicals, Cyclic Hydrocarbons

This article was prepared by Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2012, Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week via NewsRx.com.