Comparative Study of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Nitro-PAHs at Marine and Forest Background Stations in Shimane, Japan (2022–2024)

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Abstract
To clarify the pollution characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs (NPAHs) in the East Asian monsoon region under different atmospheric environments and to assess their potential influences on receptor areas, this study selected two background monitoring stations with different environments in Shimane Prefecture, Japan: a marine station (MB) and a forest station (SF). PM2.5 samples were simultaneously collected using a high-volume sampler during the summer and winter of 2022–2023, and ten PAHs and three NPAHs were quantified using HPLC. The concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs at MB and SF exhibited significant seasonal variations in 2022 (winter > summer). However, in 2023, a clear seasonal difference was observed only at MB. Isomer ratio analysis of PAHs at both stations indicated that traffic emissions and biomass or coal combustion were major contributors. Seasonal variations in the [2-NFR]/[1-NP] ratio indicated that, while high ratios at MB and SF during summer were mainly associated with local photochemical formation, low ratios in winter reflected long-range transportation of combustion-derived PAHs and NPAHs from the Asian continent. Incremental lifetime cancer risk values (10−7 to 10−11) indicated that even at background stations, the atmospheric environment poses certain health risks. This first comparative investigation of PAHs and NPAHs at two distinct background stations in Shimane again highlights the importance of international cooperation among East Asian countries for effective air pollution control.
Funding Information
  • The Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant, The Japan Science Society (2024-3012)
  • Aid for Scientific Research, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (24KF0222, 25K15477)
  • the cooperative research programs of Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kana-zawa University, Japan (21001, 22002, 23016, 25089)
  • Kanazawa University ‘SANTO’ project (2023)

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