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Investigation of VOC characteristics, source analysis, and chemical conversions in a typical petrochemical area through 1-year monitoring and emission inventory

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Abstract

To effectively investigate the characteristics, source analysis, and chemical conversions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pollution in a typical petrochemical area, 81 VOC species from nine sampling sites were collected from 1st January to 31th December 2019 in Jinshan District. Results showed the concentration of VOCs was 51.63 ± 36.05 ppbv, and VOCs were dominated by alkane (40.10%) and alkenes (39.91%). The temporal variations of VOCs showed that the highest average VOC concentration appeared in July, and the lowest concentration of VOCs was in February. The concentration of VOCs was mainly connected with industrial processes and was transported to other areas through the downwind direction. Six PMF-derived sources including petrochemical industry, solvent utilization, vehicle exhaust, fuel evaporation, combustion, and other industry processes, contributing 37.08%, 16.74%, 16.69%, 14.99%, 9.53%, and 4.97%, respectively. Meanwhile, an anthropogenic VOC emission inventory was established by emission factors and the activity statistics for 2019, results indicated that the total emission of VOCs was estimated as 6.22 kt, petrochemical industry was the most important contributor of human-produced VOCs. The LOH concentration was 396.12 ppbv via OH radical loss rate method, and the OFP was 210.44 ppbv based on the MIR factor. Alkenes and aromatics were the important components of O3 formation. This study provides effective information for corresponding governments to establish VOCs contamination control directives.

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Fig. 1
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source profiles and source emission contributions

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source in the VOC inventory emission

Fig. 8

source structure based on the PMF model

Fig. 9

source compositions in the EI (inner ring) and PMF (outer ring) in 2019

Fig. 10

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (CN) (Nos. 20DZ1204004).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 3 Yinlian Road, Shanghai, 201306, China

    Guimei Qin & Jinping Cheng

  2. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Guimei Qin, Shuang Fu, Haohao Jia, Qingrui Zeng, Linping Fan, Huarui Ren & Jinping Cheng

  3. Shanghai Environmental Monitor Center, Shanghai, 200235, China

    Song Gao & Qingyan Fu

Authors
  1. Guimei Qin
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  2. Song Gao
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  3. Qingyan Fu
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  4. Shuang Fu
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  5. Haohao Jia
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  6. Qingrui Zeng
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  7. Linping Fan
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  8. Huarui Ren
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  9. Jinping Cheng
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Contributions

Guimei Qin: methodology, formal analysis, investigation, writing—original draft, visualization; Jinping Cheng*: conceptualization, methodology, supervision; Song Gao: investigation, resources, project administration; Qingyan Fu: investigation, resources, project administration; Shuang Fu: writing—reviewing and editing; Haohao Jia: writing—reviewing and editing; Qingrui Zeng: writing—reviewing and editing; Linping Fan: supervision, validation; Huarui Ren: investigation. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jinping Cheng.

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Qin, G., Gao, S., Fu, Q. et al. Investigation of VOC characteristics, source analysis, and chemical conversions in a typical petrochemical area through 1-year monitoring and emission inventory. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 51635–51650 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19145-7

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