The qualitative and quantitative source apportionments of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in size dependent road deposited sediment.

This study showcases the qualitative and quantitative source apportionments of size-dependent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in road deposited sediment by means of molecular diagnostic ratio (MDR) and positive matrix factorisation (PMF) approaches. The MDR was initially used to narrow the PAH source candidates. PMF modelling was subsequently used to provide more precise source apportionment with the assistance of a multiple linear regression analysis. Through a combined qualitative and quantitative source apportionment, different potential source contributors were identified at different size fractions. Explicitly, three major contributors to sorption at the size fraction of 1000-400 μm were tentatively identified as incineration (26%), coal combustion (53%) and gasoline-powered vehicle (20%). Four major contributors to the size fraction of 400-100 μm were identified as gasoline-powered vehicle (25%), surface pavement (15%), diesel-powered vehicle (37%) and industrial boiler (24%). Four major contributors to the size fraction of 100-63 μm were identified as cogeneration emission (13%), diesel-powered vehicle (28%), tire debris (45%) and wood combustion (14%). The potential contributors in the size fraction 63-0.45 μm were identified as diesel-powered vehicle (21%), heterogeneous sources (41%) and biomass burning (38%). In addition, the highest ∑16PAH concentration was found in the smallest size fraction of 63-0.45 μm, which is also where the highest BaPE and TEF values for potential risk assessment occurred.