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Traffic-related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) occurrence in a tropical environment

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Abstract

Traffic-related PAH emissions over the urban area of Natal, Brazil, have shown a significant increase because of automobile usage and have become a major concern due to their potential effects on human health and the environment. Therefore, this research measured PAH contamination on major roads and river compartments in a tropical catchment (Pitimbu River) over an expanding urban area. Road PAH concentrations spanned from 692 to 2098 ng g−1 and suggest the predominance of heavy (diesel-powered) and light-duty (gasoline plus alcohol-powered) vehicle emission sources. High concentrations of naphthalene (515 ng g−1) and acenaphthylene (145 ng g−1) were found in river sediments, indicating oil-related spillage and low-temperature combustion sources. Diagnostic ratios indicated the prevalence of biomass, coal and petroleum combustion processes and refined oil products. The ecological risk assessment indicated an ecological contamination risk ranging between low and moderate because of naphthalene and acenaphthylene concentrations higher than ERL threshold values. Toxicity risks caused by PAHs were assessed by using the BaP-equivalent carcinogenic power (BaPE). Results indicated that both RDS and riverbed sediment samples are at low toxicity risk.

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Funding

The research was funded by CAPES – Ministry of Education of Brazil/Brazilian Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, CTGAS-ER, Natal, RN, 59063-400, Brazil

    Paula Rafaela Silva dos Santos, Mirna Ferreira de Farias & Yldeney Silva Domingos

  2. Sanitation Engineering Post-graduation Program, Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, RN, 59078-970, Brazil

    Lucio Flavio Ferreira Moreira

  3. Chemometrics and Biological Chemistry Group (CBC), Institute of Chemistry, UFRN, Natal, RN, 59078-970, Brazil

    Edgar Perin Moraes

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  1. Paula Rafaela Silva dos Santos
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  2. Lucio Flavio Ferreira Moreira
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  3. Edgar Perin Moraes
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  5. Yldeney Silva Domingos
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Contributions

Paula Rafaela Silva dos Santos, Field work/ Laboratory processes/ Manuscript. Lucio Flavio Ferreira Moreira, Research design/Field work/Result analysis/Manuscript. Edgar Perin Moraes, Results analysis/Manuscript. Mirna Ferreira de Farias, Laboratory processes. Yldeney Silva Domingos, Laboratory processes.

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Correspondence to Lucio Flavio Ferreira Moreira.

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dos Santos, P.R.S., Moreira, L.F.F., Moraes, E.P. et al. Traffic-related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) occurrence in a tropical environment. Environ Geochem Health 43, 4577–4587 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00947-6

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