• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.49-57
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• 2016

This study investigated the 16 priority PAH concentrations and emission sources from two region (Southwest and East) soils in Jeollanamdo. National industrial complexes have been operated in these regions. PAH concentrations in east region were higher than southeast region, and 9.1 times higher for polluted area and approximately 8.5 times higher for industrial complex were observed. Individual PAH ratios and LMW/HMW ratio indicated that PAHs were emitted from pyrogenic sources in two regions. Average Ant/(Ant+Phe) ratios in southwest and east were 0.14 and 0.22, respectively. From a principal component analysis, it was concluded that PAHs were originated from vehicles and coal power plants.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.1145-1157
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• 2003

The surface sediments inside Hallim Harbor, one of the major harbors of Jeju Island, were sampled three times (June, September and December, 2001) and analyzed for 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), recommended by US-EPA as priority pollutants, to assess their distribution levels and to suggest their possible origins. The concentrations of PAHs ranged from 19 to 496 ng/g on a dry weight basis with a mean value of 245 ng/g, and the levels were low to moderate in comparison with other areas in the world. Based on comparisons of individual and total PAH concentrations with effects-based and equilibrium partitioning-based on sediment quality guidelines, the potential for the biological effects were expected to be low. The sedimentary PAHs may be correlated with organic carbon and mud contents to some extent. From the examinations of the four PAH origin indices, such as LMW/HMW (low molecular weight 2-3 ring PAHs over high molecular weight 4-6 ring PAHs), phenanthrene/anthracene ratio, fluoranthene/pyrene ratio, chrysene/benzo〔a〕anthracene ratio, it can be concluded that the sediment PAH contaminations were ascribed to both pyrolytic and petrogenic origins.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.656-664
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• 2010

We investigated the levels and distribution patterns of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 12 Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the surface sediments from the Nakdong river basin, Korea. The levels of 16 PAHs and 12 Co-PCBs in the river sediment samples ranged from not detected (N.D.)~969.3 ng/g-dry, 4.2~7716.5 pg/g-dry (0.0~10.1 pg-TEQ/g-dry), respectively. Also, the levels of 16 PAHs were from 5.8~2987.2 ng/g-dry and 4.3~461.1 pg/g-dry (0.0~0.6 pg-TEQ/g-dry) for 12 Co-PCBs in the lake sediment samples. Only dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) were detected among target OCPs and the concentration ranged from N.D.~1.5 ng/g-dry in the river sediment samples. These contamination levels were far below the guideline values suggested for environmental quality assessment. Low molecular weight PAHs were dominant in the river sediment samples, while middle and high molecular weight PAHs were dominant among 16 PAHs in the lake sediment samples. PCB-118 and PCB-105 were predominant congeners in the sediment, which were similar to the results obtained from previous studies. With these results, the assessment of potential sources of PAHs and Co-PCBs contamination in the sediments of the Nakdong river basin was performed. The pyrogenic-PAHs originated from combustion of fossil fuel and biomass were related with the PAHs contribution in most of the sediment samples, and Co-PCBs in the sediment samples were related with commercial PCB products.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.735-742
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• 2008

In order to evaluate the levels and distribution patterns, the concentrations of PAHs and chlorophenols were investigated in sludge samples discharged from 6 WWTPs located along Nak-dong river and 7 STPs in Busan, Korea. Levels of 16 PAHs and 19 chlorophenols in sludge samples ranged from 1.28 to 44.9 mg/kg dry wt. and from 213 to 3,850 $\mu$g/kg dry wt., respectively. Levels of PAHs in sludge samples except I5 and S4 were detected lower than those of previous studies. The distribution patterns of PAHs and chlorophenols varied with industrial wastewater sludge samples because industrial wastewater sludge had different industrial input sources. However, the distribution patterns of PAHs and chlorophenols in sewage sludge were pretty similar. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene were dominant and the fractions of these 3 PAHs relative to 16 PAHs in sewage sludge ranged from 30.8 to 50.7%. 2-chlorophenol is dominated in most sewage sludge samples and the fraction ranged from 36.0 to 66.8%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2011

The behavior prediction of PAHs in Jinhae Bay using a three-dimensional ecological model(EMT-3D) was examined. A three-dimensional ecological model(EMT-3D) was applied to the simulation of PAHs behaviors in Jinhae Bay of Korea. The computed results of simulation were in good agreement with the observed values. The result of sensitivity analysis showed that photolysis coefficient and extinction coefficient were important factors in the variation of dissolved PAHs, and POC partition coefficient was important factor in the variation of PAHs in particulate organic matter. In the case of PAHs in phytoplankton, bioconcentration factor of plankton was the most significant and the most effective in all. In simulations of 30%, 50% and 80% reduction in total loads of PAHs, the concentrations of dissolved PAHs were shown to be lower than 24 ng/L, 20 ng/L and 16 ng/L, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1511-1517
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• 2011

We isolated a potent phenanthrene-degrading bacterium from oil-contaminated soils of Suzhou, China, and assessed the potential use of these bacteria for bioremediation of soils contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a microcosm. Based on 16S rDNA sequencing, we identified this bacteria as Sphigobacterium sp. SW-09. By PCR amplification, we also identified catechol 2,3-dioxygenase genes (nahH genes) mediating PAH degradation. Staphylococcus sp. KW-07, which has been identified in our previous study, showed potential for use in bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils. In this experiment, we compared the rate of phenanthrene-degradation between Staphylococcus sp. KW-07 and Sphingobacterium sp. SW-09 in a microcosm condition. Newly isolated Sphingobacterium sp. SW-09 showed a higher phenanthrene-degradation rate than that of Staphylococcus sp. KW-07 in soil microcosms. Together, our results suggest that the Sphingobacterim sp. SW-09 strain isolated from the Suzhou area may also be useful in bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soils.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.574-582
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• 2012

This study presents the concentrations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) listed as priority pollutants by United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), in 98 sludges from 54 industrial wastewater treatment facilities of South Korea. The mean concentrations of ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$ were ranged from 32.5 ${\mu}g/kg-dw$ to 1189.3 ${\mu}g/kg-dw$ by industries, and the highest content was found in the petrochemical industry, followed by chemical, clothing manufacturing and dying, pulp and papermaking, secondary wastewater treatment, and food/beverage producing industries. Comparisons to the EU and Danish standards of ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$ in sewage sludge for land application showed only two samples (one from petrochemical, and the other from chemical industry) exceeded the limits. ANOVA test with PAH concentrations as variables revealed no statistically significant influences by industrial types and sampling time (i.e., seasonal variations). Pearson correlations between individual PAHs showed strong relationships (r>0.7) among 4-ring PAHs. Concentrations of acenaphthylene, anthracene, fluoranthene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(f)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene presented strong correlations to ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$. Principal component analysis discriminated entire samples into three groups by two principal components (PC1 and PC2) with 70% of data variations, in which industrial types were not of importance, but a dominance of certain PAHs. Samples in group-I, which is high PC1 and low PC2, were characterized by a dominance of 2-ring PAHs, and in group-II, PC1 and PC2 showed a linear relation, was dominant 4-ring PAHs. Group-III with low PC1 and high PC2 includes 17 samples showing a noticeably high contribution of 3-ring PAHs to ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$. This study provides concentrations of PAHs in industrial sludges collected from a wide variety of sources (six industrial types) and two seasons of sampling events, and the comparison of ${\Sigma}_{16}PAHs$ with other studies are also discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.16 no.E
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• pp.1-17
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• 2000

In this study, the concentrations of particulate organic constituents of environmental tobacco smoke(ETS) were determined using an environmental smog chamber, where ETS is the sole source of target compounds. ETS was generated in a 30 ㎥ environmental chamber by a number of different cigarettes, including the Kentucky 1R4F reference cigarette and eight commercial brands. A total of 12 experimental runs was conducted, and target analytes included a group of ETS markers both in vapor and particulate phase and a class of polycylic aromatic hydrocarbos(PAHs) associated with ETS particles. The mass concentrations of PAH in ETS particles were also determined. The average contents of benzo(a) pyrene and benzo(a) anthracene in ETS particles for the commercial brands were 12.8 and 21.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/g, respectively, There values are all somewhat higher than those determined previously by other studies. Results form the chamber study are further used to estimate the average and variability of cigarette yields for target compounds associated with ETS. Finally, ratios of RSP to the surrogate standards of UVPM, FPM and solanesol were calculated for each sample. The average conversion factors factors for the eight commercial brands were 7.3, 38, and 41 for UVPM, EPM, and solanesol, respectively. The UVPM and FPM factors are in good agreement with the recently published values. Whereas there might be a substantial difference in the solanesol content among cigarettes produced in different countries, the variability is somewhat greater than those of UVPM and FPM, Unfortunately, comparison of the PAH yield data from this study with literature values was complicated by a lack of consistency in cigarette smoke generating methodology. Validation of the PAH yields was also difficult due to a lack of information on the ETS related PAH in the literature. From and engineering viewpoint , however, these data on the cigarette yields of ETS components may still provide useful information to studies on the mathematical modeling of indoor air quality management regarding tobacco smoke as a source of interest, or to studies on the assessment of human exposure to ETS.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.59-71
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• 2014

We investigated soil contamination depending on the land use by examining the contamination levels and distribution characteristics of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the national soil. Total PAHs (the sum of 16 PAH concentrations) and carcinogenic PAHs (the sum of seven carcinogenic PAH concentrations) were $8.50{\sim}3,437.16{\mu}g/kg$ and $2.94{\sim}2,136.96{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. The concentration of benzo(a)pyrene, one of the contaminants regulated by the soil quality standard in the nation, was $ND{\sim}924.73{\mu}g/kg$. Its maximum value of $924.73{\mu}g/kg$ was detected in railroad (Region 3) and is approximately 13% of the standard value for Region 3 (i.e., 7 mg/kg). We also investigated the characteristics of contamination sources of PAHs in soil of the upland, forests, roads, and railroads, examining the fraction distribution of PAHs concentration by the number of benzene rings against the total PAHs concentration. The results demonstrate that the mean fraction of 4~6-ring PAHs against total PAHs concentration in soil was in the range of 51.8~80.7% with relative abundance of high-molecular PAHs, showing that the origin of contamination is under the category of combustion sources. When the molecular indices (Flu/(Flu/Pyr), Ant/(Ant+Phe), InP/(InP+BP), and BaA/(BaA+Chr)) were applied, they were also categorized as petroleum-based combustion sources. The individual PAH concentrations in soil by the land use were grouped into Regions 1, 2, and 3, which are statistically treated and are the parts of the national category system of soil quality standard. As a result, the concentration level of 16 PAHs was $0.02{\sim}2.63{\mu}g/kg$ in Region 1, $0.05{\sim}4.26{\mu}g/kg$ in Region 2, and $2.36{\sim}178.27{\mu}g/kg$ in Region 3. The concentration level of 6 carcinogenic PAHs was 14.2~320.4% against that of benzo(a)pyrene in Region 3 and sites of recycling waste sleepers. Considering that there were similarities among PAHs in terms of structures and toxicities, it would be recommended to review other types of carcinogenic PAHs together with benzo(a)pyrene when developing the soil quality standards in the nation.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.196-200
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• 2007

This study was to determine long-term changes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in paddy soils. To do this, we analyzed 16 PAHs in soil samples which were stored in the archive of Yeoungnam Agricultural Research Institute, Milyang, Kyeoungnam province, Korea. The samples used in this study were collected every year from 1978 to 2001 at the plough layer (0-12cm). In average, total PAHs accumulated in paddy soil was continuously decreased since 1980 when it peaked to be $237g\;kg^{-1}$. No significant changes were observed for PAHs having 5-6 phenyl rings for the past two decades, whereas PAHs with 3-4 phenyl rings were greatly decreased, reaching at about a half levels of the 1980's. It is worthy to be noted that the large reduction in PAHs with 3-4 phenyl rings has mainly been attributed to the decrease of PAHs in paddy soils for last 20 years. The major compounds accumulated were: phenanthrene > fluoroanthene > chrysene/benzo(b)fluoroanthene. The present results suggest that the switch of main fuels used in Korea from coal to petroleum around at the end of 1970's is likely contributed to decrease in PAH accumulation in paddy soils.