PAH-Finder: A Pattern Recognition Workflow for Identification of PAHs and Their Derivatives.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pervasive environmental pollutants with significant health risks due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties. Traditional methods for PAH identification, primarily relying on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), utilize spectral library searches together with other techniques, such as mass defect analysis. However, these methods are limited by incomplete spectral libraries and a high false positive rate.

Measurement of size-segregated airborne particulate bound polycyclic aromatic compounds and assessment of their human health impacts - A case study in a megacity of southwest China.

Particle size distribution of particulate polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) is one of the important factors controlling human exposure to PACs in air. In this study, size-segregated airborne particle samples were collected in a megacity in southwest China to analyze PACs concentrations and evaluate related health risks. Annual average concentrations of ΣPAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 17.

Increasing importance of nitrate formation for heavy aerosol pollution in two megacities in Sichuan Basin, southwest China.

Secondary inorganic aerosols, including sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium contribute to a large extent to the severe haze pollution events in China. Understanding their formation mechanisms is critical for designing effective mitigation strategies to control haze pollution, especially as the role of nitrate seemed to become more important recently, especially in some megacities. In the present study, simultaneous observations were conducted in two megacities (Chengdu and Chongqing) in Sichuan Basin of southwest China, one of the regions suffering from severe aerosol pollution.

Spatiotemporal variations of ambient volatile organic compounds and their sources in Chongqing, a mountainous megacity in China.

Chongqing is the largest megacity in southwest China and has a mountainous and humid climate. Online measurements of 96 volatile organic compound (VOC) species were performed at the three sites JYS, CJZ, and NQ, which are located in the northern, central, and southern sections of the Chongqing urban district, respectively. The measurements were performed from August to September 2015, at a time interval of 1h.

Particulate pollution in urban Chongqing of southwest China: Historical trends of variation, chemical characteristics and source apportionment.

Chongqing, the largest megacity in southwest China, faces serious aerosol pollution but lacks information on particle characteristics and its sources. Official data released by Chongqing Environmental Protection Bureau demonstrated that urban PM concentrations decreased remarkably from 150μgm in 2000 to 90μgm in 2012. However, only several peer-reviewed studies paid attention to local fine particle (PM) pollution.

Highly time-resolved characterization of water-soluble inorganic ions in PM in a humid and acidic mega city in Sichuan Basin, China.

To investigate the characteristics of water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) in Chongqing, a well-known foggy and acid region in southwestern China, hourly real-time concentrations of five cations (Na, K, NH, Ca, and Mg) and six anions (F, Cl, NO, NO, PO, and SO) in PM during winter (from Dec. 18, 2015 to Mar. 20, 2016) in Chongqing were collected by applying In-situ Gas and Aerosol Compositions Monitor.

Assessment of pollution and identification of sources of heavy metals in the sediments of Changshou Lake in a branch of the Three Gorges Reservoir.

To assess the heavy metal pollution in Changshou Lake, sediments were collected from nine sites at three periods (dry, normal, and wet) in 2013. The Hg, As, Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn levels were then determined. The index of geoaccumulation (I geo) and the sediment pollution index (SPI) were applied to the sediment assessment, and Pearson's correlation analysis and factor analysis (FA) were performed to identify common pollution sources in the basin.

[Determination of phthalate esters in sediment by accelerated solvent extraction and gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry].

A method for the determination of seventeen phthalate esters in sediment by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) and gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) has been developed. The target compounds were extracted at 100 degrees C and 103.4 MPa (1500 psi) by ASE using the mixtures of dichloromethane and acetone (1:1, v/v) as solvent.

Investigation on metal pollution in the sediment of Chongqing segment of Yangtse River.

Basing on experiment dada collected from 1995 to 2007 at Chongqing segment of Yangtse River, the pollution and the potential toxic effect of sediment were depicted and characterized by using the Index of Geoaccumulation (I(geo)) method and the Logistic Regression model respectively. Results showed that the sediment had been slightly polluted by metals and had possible adverse effect on aquatic life. According to the I(geo), the order of the analyzed metals, arranging from highest to lowest pollution degree, was Cd > Hg > Pb > Cu > Zn > As.