0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Environmental Sources Human Health Effects Policy & Risk Sign in to save

Environmental Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Farmland Soils near Highways: A Case Study of Guangzhou, China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022 11 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Xiaorong Zhang, Weiqing Lu, Linyu Xu, Wenhao Wu, Bowen Sun, Wenfeng Fan, Hanzhong Zheng, Jingjing Huang

Summary

Researchers assessed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in roadside farmland soils near highways in Guangzhou, China across seasons, finding that PAH levels near high-traffic roads were significantly elevated above background. Vehicle emissions and tire wear were identified as the primary PAH sources, with carcinogenic risk scores exceeding safe thresholds at several sites.

Recently, the rapid growth in vehicle activity in rapidly urbanized areas has led to the discharge of large amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into roadside soils and these compounds have gradually accumulated in the soil, which poses a serious threat to national food security and public health. However, previous studies did not clearly investigate the seasonal differences in PAH pollution of roadside soil by different highways. Therefore, based on field investigations, this study collected 84 soil surface samples to compare the pollution characteristics of 16 PAHs in farmland soils located near different roads in different seasons in Guangzhou, China. The results showed that the concentration of Σ16PAHs in farmland soils in spring (with a mean value of 258.604 μg/kg) was much higher than that in autumn (with a mean value of 157.531 μg/kg). There are differences in the PAH compositions in spring (4 ring > 3 ring > 5 ring > 6 ring) and autumn (4 ring > 5 ring > 6 ring > 3 ring). The proportion of 4−6 ring PAHs was much higher than 2−3 ring PAHs in both seasons. The spatial differences were significant. The sampling areas with higher concentrations of 16 PAHs were Tanbu Town, Huadu District (TB), Shitan Town, Zengcheng District (ST), and Huashan Town, Huadu District (HS), while the lowest concentration was in Lanhe Town, Nansha District (LH). The results of the diagnostic ratios showed that the main source of soil PAHs consists of a mixed source from petroleum and biomass combustion. The results from the total pollution assessment method and Nemerow index method indicated that the pollution levels of PAHs in the farmland soils indicated weak contamination. Our study provides a scientific basis for the prevention and control of soil pollution in farmlands near highways.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Assessment of Health Risks from Agricultural Soils Contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Across Different Land-Use Categories of Bangladesh

Researchers assessed levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of harmful chemical pollutants, in agricultural soils across Bangladesh. Industrial areas had the highest contamination levels, followed by coastal and market areas, with concentrations declining at greater soil depths. The study found that while current exposure levels pose low cancer risk, continued monitoring is needed since these persistent chemicals accumulate in soil and can enter the food chain.

Article Tier 2

Environmental Impact Of 2A 2B Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Industrial Soil: Status, Profile, Concentration and Assessment to Humans Health Risk

Researchers collected surface soil samples from five industrial zones in Riyadh and quantified IARC Group 2A and 2B carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, assessing cancer risk to adults and children via ingestion, dermal contact, and dust inhalation pathways, finding that children faced elevated risk due to soil ingestion behavior.

Article Tier 2

Contamination Levels and Accumulation Profiles of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Surface Sediments from South Central Coast of Vietnam

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were quantified in surface sediments from the South Central Coast of Vietnam, characterizing sources, spatial distribution, and potential ecological risk from these hydrophobic persistent organic pollutants.

Article Tier 2

Characteristics, source, and health risk assessment of aerosol polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the rural and urban regions of western Saudi Arabia

Researchers assessed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution in airborne particulate matter across urban and rural sites in western Saudi Arabia over one year, finding significantly higher PAH concentrations in urban Jeddah compared to rural areas, with vehicle emissions and industrial activity as dominant sources.

Article Tier 2

Characteristics, source, and health risk assessment of aerosol polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the rural and urban regions of western Saudi Arabia

Researchers assessed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution in airborne particulate matter across urban and rural sites in western Saudi Arabia over one year, finding significantly higher PAH concentrations in urban Jeddah compared to rural areas, with vehicle emissions and industrial activity as dominant sources.

Share this paper