• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.20-30
• /
• 2012

In case of analyzing PAHs (EPA 16 compounds) in oil-contaminated soils, the lump of peaks may occur because of the aliphatic and polar compounds in oil. This phenomenon is due to the lower accuracy of the analysis. To solve this problem, evaluation of application of silicagel-alumina multi-layer fraction was performed using standard substances and oil-contaminated soils. As a result of application of silicagel-alumina multi-layer fraction cleanup method using standard substances, recovery rates of surrogate standards (5 compounds including Naphthalene-d8) were 83~100% and those of target standards were 75~129%. These were to meet the target values (60~130%) in this study. When used 4% water-silicagel column analyze PAHs in oil-contaminated soils, Some problems were generated for quantitative analysis of PAHs; concentration of PAHs was underestimated due to an upward baseline of internal standard (recovery rate: less than 60%) and overestimated by the lump of peaks which were not purified (the biggest recovery rate: more than 400%). On the other hand, in case of silicagel-alumina multi-layer fraction cleanup method, recovery rate of surrogate standards were 61~101.6%. Therefore this cleanup method was considered a valid method to improve accuracy of analysis of PAHs in oil-contaminated soils.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.67-76
• /
• 2020

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds that tend to persist in environmental media for a long period of time. This work presents a 2-year monitoring study of occurrence of three PAHs (benzo(a)pyrene, naphthalene, and fluoranthene) in groundwater. The groundwater samples were collected from 106 sites of nation's groundwater quality monitoring network and analyzed by simultaneous analysis method to quantify the concentrations of the PAHs. Benzo(a)pyrene was not detected in all samples. Naphthalene and fluoranthene concentrations ranged from not detected to 12.8 ng/L and not detected to 10.5 ng/L with their detection frequency being 57.8 and 4.2%, respectively. The concentrations of PAHs in ground- and drinking waters are not currently regulated in Korea, but the concentration levels of naphthalene and fluoranthene found in this work were lower than the regulatory limits of other countries (naphthalene 0.001~0.07 mg/L, fluoranthene 0.001~1.4 mg/L). The monitoring result of this study revealed that PAHs exist as trace amounts in domestic groundwater, however continuos monitoring is necessary to protect groundwater from PAHs contamination with growing industrialization and urbanization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.13 no.1 s.28
• /
• pp.9-20
• /
• 2007

PAHs(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are widespread contaminants in the marine environment. They are of mainly anthropogenic origin from urban runoff, oil spill and combustion of fossil fuels. Some PAHs are potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic to aquatic organism The contamination of PAHs in the coastal environments has not been well known yet in Korea. This study was carried out to survey the contamination of PAHs in sediments around Gwangyang bay. The Yeosu petrochemical industrial complex, POSCO(Pohang steel company) and Gwangyang container harbor are located around the bay. PAHs in sediment samples were extracted in soxhlet extractor and were identified and quantified by GC-MS(Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) TOC(Total Organic carbon) and textural parameters in sediment samples were also analyzed 13 species of PAHs were detected at all of the surface sediments. Total PAHs concentrations in the surface sediments ranged from 171.40 to $1013.54{\mu}g/kg$ dry wt.. In most of the surface sediments, Naphthalene was the highest in the range of 14.08 to $691.39{\mu}g/kg$ dry wt. and Anthracene was the lowest in the range of 0.49 to $22.66{\mu}g/kg$ dry wt.. The correlation coefficients between individual PAHs and Total PAHs in the surface sediments were relatively higher in the low molecular compounds such as Naphthalene and Phenanthrene. In the relationship of the P/A(Phenanthrene/Anthracene) ratio and F/P(Fluoranthene/Pyrene) ratio, P/A ratio was generally above 10 and F/P ratio was shown to be above 1 in all sediment samples. These data indicate that PAHs in sediments around Gwangyang bay seem to be of both pyrolytic and petrogenic origin. Total PAHs in the surface sediments were correlated with TOC and textural parameters. The values of PAHs in the surface and core sediments were lower than the biological effect guidelines.

• Journal of ILASS-Korea
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.121-129
• /
• 2015

This study was designed to investigate the emission characteristics of unregulated pollutants (Aldehyde, VOCs, PAHs) as well as regulated pollutants (CO, HC, NOx and PM) from diesel medium-duty trucks. The emission characteristics of unregulated and regulated pollutants were assessed based on regulation standards (EURO 4 and EURO 5) and intake weight (2.5 ton and 5 ton). The results show that unregulated and regulated pollutants remained almost unchanged at higher speeds but decreased at below 23.5 km/h. Reduction in unregulated and regulated pollutants was noticeable in vehicles of recent regulation standards and light intake weight. The analysis of aldehyde using UPLC showed that formaldehyde and acetaldehyde of aldehyde were most dominant. The GC/MS analysis showed that benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene of VOCs was over 80% followed by toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene and benzene. In addition, the analysis of PAHs using GC/TOF-MS indicated that bi- and tricyclic aromatic ring of aromatic compounds was 73% and 53% at 2.5 ton and 5 ton vehicles, respectively. The results of this study will be contributed to establish HAPs inventory.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.272-279
• /
• 2016

Understanding sources and contributions of $PM_{2.5}$ mass and particulate PAHs from traffic-related pollution can provide valuable information for alleviating air contamination from car emissions in urban areas. Two sampling sites at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST, $35.228^{\circ}N$, $126.843^{\circ}E$) and National institute of environmental research NamBu Supersite (NNBS, $35.226^{\circ}N$, $126.848^{\circ}E$) were selected for comprehensive road-oriented-PM investigations. Continuous measurements from optical particle sizer (OPS) and optical particle counter (OPC) with 24 hr integrated filter based samplers for organic carbon, water soluble organic carbon, and Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were conducted during Nov. 3 through 22 in 2014. As a result, $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentrations using OPC and OPS in NNBS presented about twice higher than in GIST due to road dust impacts based on wind direction analysis. In addition, ratios of elemental carbon (EC) to organic carbon (OC) and water insoluble organic carbon (WIOC) to organic carbon (OC) supported an additional evidence of the primary pollutant contributions oriented from road dust. PAHs related to 5 rings such as benzo(e&a)pyrene indicates higher associations.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.21 no.1 s.52
• /
• pp.57-69
• /
• 2006

Lately human exposure to fine particles smaller than $2.5{\mu}m$ in aerodynamic diameter ($PM_{2.5}$) has become a great concern in Korea due to their possible cause of elevated mortality, lung function decrements, and more frequent hospital admissions for asthma. This study was conducted to investigate seasonal variations of human exposure to residential $PM_{2.5}$ and particle-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Ten homes in Chuncheon, Korea were visited for continuous 72 hour sampling of $PM_{2.5}$ in the living rooms using a MiniVol Portable Sampler from December 22, 2002 to November 3, 2003. During the same period, outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ samples were collected on the top of the Natural Sciences Building of Kangwon National University which is located in the middle of the ten households. Samples were analyzed for $PM_{2.5}$ mass concentrations and six selected PAHs. In two smoking homes, the highest $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were measured ranging from 51.1 to 69.7 {\mu}g/m^3$ on average in all seasons, indicating smoking is a very important contributor to the elevation of indoor particle concentrations. Seasonal comparison showed that indoor particle concentrations were higher than outdoor ones except winter. Total PAH concentrations in smoking homes were highest in winter among the seasons primarily due to low ventilation rate, followed by the outdoor site and nonsmoking homes. BaP toxic equivalents (TEQs) were calculated for five PAHs. The TEQ for smoking homes in winter was highest followed by the outdoor site in winter. It is concluded that smoking and ventilation rate are two important contributors to the elevation of indoor $PM_{2.5}$ and PAH concentrations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.257-266
• /
• 2008

PAHs are of mainly anthropogenic origin from urban runoff, oil spill and combustion of fossil fuels. Some PAHs are potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic to aquatic organisms. This study was carried out to survey the contamination of PAHs in the column sediments around Gwangyang bay. Yeosu petrochemical industrial complex, POSCO(Pohang steel compony) and Gwangyang container harbor are located near the bay. The column sediments were collected at 4 stations(A, B, C and D) and fractionated at intervals of two-centimeter depth on July 29, 1999. PAHs in colmn sediment samples were extracted in soxhlet extractor and were identified and quantified by GC-MS. PAHs compounds were analyzed and found to be 13 species. Total PAHs concentrations in the column sediments ranged from 275.04 to 2,838.64${\mu}g/kg$ dry wt. Naphthalene had the highest concentration in the range of 40.60 to 2,294.06${\mu}g/kg$ dry wt. and Anthracene had the lowest concentration in the range of 2.63 to 11.30${\mu}g/kg$ dry wt. The correlation coefficients between individual PAHs and total PAHs in the column sediments were relatively higher in the low molecular compounds such as Naphthalene, Acenaphthylene and Phenanthrene. The relationship between the P/A(Phenanthrene/Anthracene)ratio and F/P(Fluoranthene/Pyrene)ratio showed that P/A ratio was generally above 10 and F/P ratio was above 1 in all sediment samples. These data indicate that PAHs in the column sediments around Gwangyang bay seem to be of both pyrolytic and petrogenic origin The values of PAHs in the column sediments were lower than the biological effect guidelines.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.366-377
• /
• 2021

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generated in petrochemical complexes, can spread to residential areas and affect the health of residents. Although harmful PAHs are mainly present in particle phase, gas phase PAHs can generate stronger toxic substances through photochemical reaction. Therefore, the risk assessment for PAHs around the petrochemical complex should consider both particle and gas phase concentrations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the concentration characteristics of particle and gas phase PAHs by season in residential areas around petrochemical complexes, and to assess the risk of PAHs. Methods: Samples were collected for 7 days by seasons in 2014~2015 using a high volume air sampler. Particle and gas phase PAHs were sampled using quartz filter and polyurethane foam, respectively, analyzed by GC-MS. Chronic toxicity and probabilistic risk assessment were performed on 14 PAHs. For chronic toxicity risk assessment, inhalation unit risk was used. Monte-Carlo simulation was performed for probabilistic risk assessment using the mean and standard deviation of measured PAHs. Results: The concentration of particle total PAHs was highest in autumn. The gas phase concentration was highest in autumn. The average gas phase distribution ratio of low molecular weight PAHs composed of 2~3 benzene rings was 85%. The average of the medium molecular weight composed of 4 benzene rings was 53%, and the average of the high molecular weight composed of 5 or more benzene rings was 9%. In the chronic toxicity risk assessment, 7 of the 14 PAHs exceeded the excess carcinogenic risk of 1.00×10^-6. In the Monte-Carlo simulation, Benzo[a]pyrene had the highest probability of exceeding 1.00×10^-6, which was 100%. Conclusions: The concentration of PAHs in the residential area around the petrochemical complex exceeded the standard, and the excess carcinogenic risk was evaluated to be high. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the air environment around the petrochemical complex.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.947-956
• /
• 2018

Trains have been a major means of transport in Korea during these past decades. However, train facilities such as stations and repair shops are contaminated with organic and inorganic substances. There is a high probability of train facility contamination with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study evaluated the PAH and heavy metal contamination of soil near railroads in the Kyungpook area. A total of 18 soil samples were collected from the railroads and analyzed for 16 PAHs and 6 heavy metal species. The contamination level of the top soil was found to be slightly higher than that of the subsoil for contamination with PAHs. The ratio of carcinogenic PAH concentration to the total PAH concentration was relatively high, with a maximum of 0.9. The toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of the PAHs were 500.6 ng/kg in the topsoil and 355.5 ng/kg in the subsoil. The ratio of low molecular PAHs (LPAHs) to high molecular PAHs (LPAHs) ranged from 6.7 to 29.5; this shows that contamination is primarily due to combustion of fuel rather than due to petroleum. The ratio of phenanthrene to anthracene and the ratio of fluoranthene to pyrene also show that contamination occurred due to combustion for transportation. The heavy metal contamination level was lower than the Korean standard, but higher than the background concentration; this indicates that the soil was affected by the operation of the railways.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.187-195
• /
• 2010

To assess health risk for the intake among residents after the Hebei Spirit oil spill, 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seafood samples from oil contaminated bay were determined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MSD) and samples were personally collected and purchased by residents. Samples were hydrolyzed with KOH and extracted with methylene chloride. The extracted solution were cleaned up using silica/florisil column and 16 PAHs were eluted by methylene chloride : n-hexane (1:9) mixture and determined by GC-MSD in Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) mode. The mean recoveries for 16 PAHs ranged from 79% to 85%. The 16 PAHs levels in 126 samples ranged from 0.17 to $6.04\;{\mu}g$/kg and the TEQBaP (Toxic EQuivalents) levels in 126 samples were calculated using benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalency factor for individual 16 PAHs and ranged from 0 to $0.91\;{\mu}gTEQ$/kg. The average Benzo(a)pyrene dietary exposure of residents was $5.5{\times}10^{-8}\;mg/kg$ bw/day and the average PAHs chronic dietary exposure was $1.3{\times}10^{-5}\;mg$ TEQ/kg bw/day. The margin of exposure (MOE) and the excess cancer risk and were $1.8{\times}10^6$ and $9.8{\times}10^{-8}$, respectively. Therefore, the assessment result was considered as low concern for health risk.