• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.201-212
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• 2014

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are carcinogenic and persistent will be restricted in consumer products from December 27, 2015 by EU REACH regulation. Pretreatment using Soxhlet extraction and quantitative analysis by GC-MS were studied to develop the method for analyzing 18 PAHs in consumer products as well as to detect the amounts and the kinds of PAHs in consumer products such as grips of a bag and a hammer, a cable and a plastic sandal. Linearity and precisions were evaluated by analyses of the standard PAH solutions ranging from 0.3125 mg/L to 5.00 mg of each of 18 PAHs. Linearity of resulting standard curves for all 18 PAHs were obtained with $R^2$ above 0.999. Precisions of the retention times and the peak areas were found to be 0.00%~0.05% and 1.16%~3.69% of relative standard deviations, respectively. The recoveries for spiked samples were all around 95%~105% after Soxhlet extration using three different solvents such as dichloromethane, hexane and toluene. The limits of quantitation for 18 PAHs in solutions and polymer samples by GC-MS were evaluated to be 0.327 mg/L (Benzo[ghi]perylene)~0.464 mg/L (Acenaphthylene) and 1.635 mg/kg (Benzo[ghi]perylene)~2.32 mg/kg (Acenaphthylene) based upon dilution factor of 5, respectively. Under the developed analytical method, only trace amounts of phenanthrene were detected in three samples while 15 kinds of PAHs including phenanthrene were detected in a grip of hammer with concentrations of maximum 83.4 mg/kg of Phenanthrene and minimum 8.5 mg/kg of Acenaphthylene. Further studies are needed to decrease the quantitation limit and to check the feasibility of decreasing Soxhlet time as well as to demonstrate cases that the clean up is required.

• Environmental Sciences Bulletin of The Korean Environmental Sciences Society
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• v.10 no.S_3
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• pp.113-119
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• 2001

Surface sediments(0~5 cm) were sampled from 22 stations in Ulsan Bay, one of the most highly industrialized regions in Korea, in November 2000. The sediment samples were analyzed for their polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH) content using a gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer detector(GC/MSD). The total PAH concentrations in the sediments varied from 14 to 7108 ng/g dry weight with a mean value of 1052 ng/g dry weight. The level of carcinogenic PAHs ranged from 6 to 2396 ng/g dry weight with a mean value of 433 ng/g dry weight. The highest PAH concentrations in the sediments from Ulsan Bay were found at Station U8, whereas the lowest levels were observed at Stations U2 and U 17. The PAH distribution exhibited a decreasing gradient from the inner basin to the outer bay. The predominant contributors to the aromatic ring groups of the 16 PAHs were four- and five-ring groups, such as fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzor[b]fluoranthene, benzor[k]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene, while two- and three-ring aromatics, like naphthalene, acenapthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene and anthracene, only exhibited a low concentration. The molecular indices for phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthen/pyrene were used to Identify the origin of the PAH contamination in the sediments. The results indicated that the PAH contamination in Ulsan Bay was mostly Pyrolytic in origin with a Petrogenic input adjacent to Ulsan and Jangsuengpo harbor.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8605-8611
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• 2016

The reliability of using diagnostic binary ratios of particulate carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as chemical tracers for source characterisation was assessed by collecting PM10 samples from various air quality observatory sites in Thailand. The major objectives of this research were to evaluate the effects of day and night on the alterations of six different PAH diagnostic binary ratios: An/(An + Phe), Fluo/(Fluo + Pyr), B[a]A/(B[a]A + Chry), B[a]P/(B[a]P + B[e]P), Ind/(Ind + B[g,h,i]P), and B[k]F/Ind, and to investigate the impacts of site-specific conditions on the alterations of PAH diagnostic binary ratios by applying the concept of the coefficient of divergence (COD). No significant differences between day and night were found for any of the diagnostic binary ratios of PAHs, which indicates that the photodecomposition process is of minor importance in terms of PAH reduction. Interestingly, comparatively high values of COD for An/(An + Phe) in PM10 collected from sites with heavy traffic and in residential zones underline the influence of heterogeneous reactions triggered by oxidising gaseous species from vehicular exhausts. Therefore, special attention must be paid when interpreting the data of these diagnostic binary ratios, particularly for cases of low-molecular-weight PAHs.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.269-277
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• 2010

Air samples were collected and analyzed to investigate regional level of PAHs and its emission sources. The average concentrations of PAHs in the suburban (Gwanak) and in the urban (Seodaemun) area were $16.52\;ng/m^3$ and $59.1\;ng/m^3$, respectively. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and fluorene were predominant PAHs species, as their sum contributed to 55.6% and 60.8% of the total PAHs, respectively. The possible major source of PAHs was suspect to be the combustion of diesel fueled vehicles in both areas, particularly for Seodaemun.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.581-588
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• 2021

In this study, soil slurry bioreactors were used to treat soils containing 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for 35 days. Five different soil samples were taken from manufactured gas plant (MGP) and coal tar disposal sites. Soil properties, such as carbon content and particle distribution, were measured. These properties were significantly correlated with percent biodegradation and degradation rate. The cumulative amount of PAH degraded (P), degradation rate (K_m), and lag phase (𝜆) constants of PAHs in different MGP soils for 16 PAHs were successfully obtained from nonlinear regression analysis using the Gompertz equation, but only those of naphthalene, anthracene, acenaphthene, fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, and benzo(g,h,i)perylene are presented in this study. A comparison between total non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic PAHs indicated higher maximum amounts of PAH degraded in the former than that in the latter owing to lower partition coefficients and higher water solubilities (S). The degradation rates of total non-carcinogenic compounds for all soils were more than four times higher than those of total carcinogenic compounds. Carcinogenic PAHs have the highest partitioning coefficients (K_oc), resulting in lower bioavailability as the molecular weight (MW) increases. Good linear relationships of K_m, 𝜆, and P with the octanol-water partitioning coefficient (K_ow), MW, and S were used to estimate PAH remaining, lag time, and biodegradation rate for other PAHs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.415-418
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• 2006

회동저수지를 중심으로 수영강 일대 하상퇴적물에 대한 PAHs(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) 오염특성 연구가 진행되었다. 하상퇴적물의 화학분석결과, 16 EPA PAHs 중 naphthalene 등 총 15개 성분이 검출되었으며, benzo(a)anthracene과 chrysene의 검출빈도가 가장 높고, 총 PAHs는 최대 7,116 ppb가 검출되었다. 한편 퇴적물 내 PAHs의 심도별 함량 변화는, 대체로 하부 시료에 비해 상부 시료에 PAHs 함량이 높게 나타나며, 특히 상부의 점토질 토양과 하부의 현지 토양이 함께 산출되는 시료의 경우, 하부 현지 토양에서의 PAHs 함량에 비해 상부 점토질 토양에서의 PAHs 함량이 높으며, 이는 PAHs가 수영강 으로부터 유입되어 주로 상부 점토질 퇴적물에 축적된 결과로 판단된다. PAHs의 기원은 전반적으로 수영강 상류지역에서는 연소 기원을 보이며, 수영강 하류에서는 교량 및 도심지역에서의 차량통행과 관련이 있는 석유류의 특징을 나타내며, 회동저수지의 경우 석유류와 연소 기원의 특징을 복합적으로 보여주고 있다.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.405-415
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• 2006

Sixteen soil samples around six areas (residental area, traffic area, power plant area, incineration area and factory area) where the stationary and mobile sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are estimated to be emitted in Jeju City, were collected during Feburuary to March, 2004, and analyzed for 16 PAHs recommended by US EPA as primary pollutants to investigate their distribution characteristics. The concentrations of total PAHs (t-PAHs) and total carcinogenic PAHs $(t-PAH_{CARC})$ in soils of Jeju City were in the range of $21.7\sim264.2ng/g$ on a dry weight basis with a mean value of 87.2 ng/g and $6.3\sim118.0ng/g$ with a mean value of 33.4 ng/g, respectively. The concentrations of t-PAHs were low in comparison with those in soils of other domestic and foreign countries. The mean concentrations of t-PAHs and $(t-PAH_{CARC})$ with area decreased in the following sequences: traffic area> incineration area > factory area > power generation area > harbor area enli residental area. The correlation between t-PAHs and $(t-PAH_{CARC})$ were very high $(\gamma^2=0.9701)$, indicating that $(t-PAH_{CARC})$ concentration increases in proportion with t-PAHs. Comparing the distribution ratio of ring PAHs with area among 16 PAHs, it decreased in the order of 4-ring > 5-ring > 6-ring > 3-ring > 2-ring in all the areas except for harbor area. whitens for harbor area it was similar among 3-, 4- and 5-ring with high value. Low and no correlations between t-PAHs and soil compositions (organic matter content and particle size distribution) were observed, which is considered to be caused by the complex factors, such as the loading and characteristics of PAHs and diverse soil environment change, etc. From the examination of the three PAH origin indices, such as LMW/HMW (low molecular weight $2\sim3$ ring PAHs over high molecular weight $4\sim6$ ring PAHs), phenanthrene/anthracene ratio and fluoranthene/pyrene ratio, it can be concluded that the soil PAH contaminations were ascribed to strong pyrogenic origin in ail areas except for harbor area and to both pyrogenic and petrogenic origins.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.441-450
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• 2016

A pilot scale biostimulation experiment was performed under field conditions to degrade organic pollutants and PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds) in contaminated coastal sediment. During the experiment, the seawater temperature around the sediment varied from $16.5^{\circ}C$ to $21^{\circ}C$, while the sediment pH was stable at 8.4-8.5. The experiment was conducted over a one year period with a control group and a sample group with a applied biostimulant composed of acetate, sulfate, and nitrate. Chemical oxygen demand decreased 39% in the control group and 79% in the sample group. Volatile solids were reduced from 15 to 7 g/kg in the control group and 2.5 g/kg in the sample group. Out of the 2-, 3- ,4- ,5-, and 6-rings of the 16 vital PAHs, the compound including naphthalene (2-ring), took 2 months to degrade completely, while the degradation efficiency was 55.6% in the control group during the same period. In the case of the 3-ring and 4-ring PAHs, complete degradation in the sample and 46% - 100% degradation in control was observed after one year of the experiment. The 5-ring and 6-ring PAHs were degraded to about 77%-100% in the sample group and 26%-87% in the control group during the one year of the experiment. The study results show that biostimulation is a very effective method to improve the degradation rate of organic pollutants and PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds) in contaminated coastal sediment.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2001

Surface sediments (0- 5 cm), mussels (Mytilus coruscus and M. edulis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were sampled at 20 stations in Korean coast during a period of February to July 2000. Samples were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer detector (GC/MSD). The sediment $\sum PAH$ concentration varied from 7 to 1,214 ng/g dry weight and the level of carcinogenic PAHs of six species ranged from 1 to 563 ng/g dry weight in surface sediments. In organisms, the levels of $\sum PAH$ were in the range of 63-876 ng/g dry weight and the concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs of six species were in the range of 4-582 ng/g dry weight. The highest PAH concentrations in sediments and organisms were in samples from Station 5 in Pohang coast and Station 8 in Jinhae coast, respectively. $\sum PAH$ concentrations in sediments and organisms collected from Korean coast were slightly low or comparable to those in other countries. The contribution of ring aromatic groups to sum of 16 PAHs in sediments and organisms showed a similar pattern for most stations. In sediments, the predominant contributions were four and five ring aromatics like fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene. In the organisms, four ring aromatics like fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene were predominant PAH species. Several molecular indices such as phenanthrene/anthracene, fluoranthene/pyrene and LMW/HMW ratio were used to identify the origin of PAH contamination in sediments. The results indicate that PAHs of Korean coast were mainly of pyro1ytic contaminants with slight petrogenic input. A high correlation within individual PAH compound in marine sediments was observed, while correlation in organisms showed a highly significant relationship for heavier molecular weight PAHs.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.189-202
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• 2017

This study examines the concentrations of particulate-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and gas-phase PAHs in sidestream cigarette smoke. Sixteen PAHs were determined for four brands of cigarettes. The volume of the experimental room is approximately $66m^3$. The air samples in the room were collected before and after smoking. The median total of particulate-phase and gas-phase PAH concentrations before smoking $3.13ng/m^3$and $48.0ng/m^3$, respectively. The median concentrations of them after smoking were $10.0ng/m^3$ and $79.6ng/m^3$. The median increases in the total of 16 PAH concentrations per cigarette during smoking were 271 ng for the particulate-phase PAHs and 1960 ng for the gas-phase PAHs. According to the relationship between particulate-phase and gas-phase PAHs after smoking, the two- to four-ring gas-phase PAHs and the higher molecular weight particulate-phase PAHs were probably formed from similar precursors. The relationship between the total suspended particulate (TSP) concentration and the increase in the total particulate-phase concentration of the 16 PAHs per cigarette during smoking were significantly positive. The increase in the total gas-phase concentration of the 16 PAHs tended to increase as the TSP concentration increased. This may indicates that decreasing the amount of TSP produced inhibit the production of PAHs during smoking.