Development of analytical methods for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in airborne particulates: A review

In the present work, the different sample collection, pretreatment and analytical methods for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） in airborne particulates is systematacially reviewed, and the applications of these pretreatment and analytical methods for PAHs are compared in detail. Some comments on the future expectation are also presented.

Simple Synchronous Fluorimetric Method for Determination of Benzo[a] pyrene in Airborne Particulates without a Pre-Separation Procedure

A sensitive analytical method, constant-energy synchronous fluorimetry, has been used to determine benzo[a]pyrene （BaP） selectively in airborne particulates （AP）. A constant-energy difference of 1 400 cm^-1 was selected for obtaining single spectral peak. The method could easily identify BaP in an 18-component polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons（PAHs） mixtures. Calibration plots in methanol solution and in sodium dodecylsulfate （SDS） micellar media show a good linearity （R〉0.999） in the BaP concentration range generally fotund in the environment. The method gives a detection limit of 0.40 nmol/L in SDS micellar medium and 1.34 nmol/L in methanol solution.

DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON COMPOUNDS IN AIRBORNE PARTICULATES OF EAST ASIA

A review is presented on the distribution and characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAHs） and their derivatives, including nitro-PAHs and hydro-PAHs, on atmospheric particulates of East Asia. Generally, PAH compounds with two or three aromatic rings are released mainly into the gas phase, while those containing three or more aromatic rings are associated with particulate matter （PM） emission. Particle-associated PAHs are primarily adsorbed on fine particles, and little associated with coarse particles. Investigation into the concentration level of PAHs in different areas can serve not only to reflect the pollutant status and sources but also to lead to the formulation of control strategies. The results of the present study show that China has more severe PAH pollution than such East Asian countries as Japan and Korea.

Gelatin filter capture-based high-throughput sequencing analysis of microbial diversity in haze particulate matter

Airborne particulate matter(PM),especially PM2.5,can be easily adsorbed by human respiratory system.Their roles in carrying pathogens for spreading epidemic diseases has attracted great concern.Herein,we developed a novel gelatin filter-based and culture-independent method for investigation of the microbial diversity in PM samples during a haze episode in Tianjin,China.This method involves particle capture by gelatin filters,filter dissolution for DNA extraction,and high-throughput sequencing for analysis of the microbial diversity.A total of 584 operational taxonomic units(OTUs)of bacteria and 370 OTUs of fungi at the genus level were identified during hazy days.The results showed that both bacterial and fungal diversities could be evaluated by this method.This study provides a convenient strategy for investigation of microbial biodiversity in haze,facilitating accurate evaluation of airborne epidemic diseases.

Transport of airborne particulate matters originating from Mentougou, Beijing, China

In this study, a coupled regional air quality modeling system is applied to investigate the time spatial variations in airborne particulate matters （PM10）, originating from Mentougou to Beijing municipal area in the period of April 1-7, 2004, and the influences of complex terrain and meteorological conditions upon boundary layer structure and PM10 concentration distributions. An intercomparison of the performance with CALPUFF against the observed data is presented and an examination of scatter plots is provided. The statistics show that the correlation coefficient and STD between the modeled and observed data are 0.86 and 0.03, respectively. Analysis of model results illustrates that the pollutants emitted from Mentougou can be transported to Beijing municipal area along certain transport pathways, and PM10 concentration distributions show heterogeneity characteristics. Contributions of the Mentougou sources to the PM10 concentrations in Beijing municipal area are up to 0.1-15 μg/m^3.