Vol. 39, issue 10, article # 2
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Abstract:
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose carcinogenic and toxic dangers to the environment and public health. They are adsorbed onto aerosol particles in air and can be transported over long distances. This work studies the dynamics of concentrations of aerosol particles, such as PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in atmospheric air in Irkutsk based on long-term measurements. Pronounced seasonal and year-to-year variations in the concentrations are revealed, as well as trends towards their decrease in recent years. Coarse aerosol fraction is determined to predominate (up to 60%). High levels of aerosol particles are due to heat emissions in the cold season, to dust storms in April and May, and to wildfires in July and August. Winter concentrations of PM2.5 1.1–2.0 times higher than the daily average MAC were detected. About 60% of PAHs are associated with coarse aerosol; the correlation coefficient between the sum of PAHs and all aerosol fractions is 0.62. The content of PAHs increases in winter; however, the maximal PAH content in winter 2020 was three times lower than the average over cold winter 2016. The concentrations of fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, and phenanthrene are high in all seasons, with an excess of benzo(а)pyrene concentrations over the daily average MAC by 1.1–7.5 times. The analysis of PAH isomeric ratios confirmed pyrogenic sources: solid combustibles in cold seasons and vehicles and wildfires in warm seasons. An increase in the air temperature and humidity and a decrease in aerosol and PAH concentrations in past 10 years are revealed for Irkutsk, as well as high negative correlations between PAHs content and air temperature (-0.74) and humidity (-0.54). The results can be used by Russian Federal Survey for Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring for development of measures for decreasing emissions of polluting aerosol particles and PAHs in the large industrial center in Eastern Siberia.
Keywords:
Irkutsk, atmosphere pollution, aerosol particles, PAH, meteorological parameter
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