Characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil in a coal mining area, East China: Spatial distribution, sources, and carcinogenic risk assessment

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution process in mining areas, particularly coal has accelerated because of chemical production and gangue accumulation. In this study, PHAs concentrations surface soil was determined via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. composition, spatial distribution sources PAHs were analyzed, their potential carcinogenic risks evaluated.Results showed a wide PAH concentration range (218–1548 ng g −1 ). high molecular weight proportion contaminated areas significantly higher than uncontaminated areas. Clear differences detected with the soils near an industrial park piles. results positive matrix factorization (PMF) area revealed that coking, oil biomass combustion, vehicle emissions contributed 31%, 26%, 24%, 19%, respectively, to PAHs. contrast 10% contribution rate coking source Monte Carlo method used assess cancer risk residents study health values for adults safety standard (2.92 × 10 −6 ) prescribed by United States Environmental Protection Agency at 95% confidence level. Sensitivity analysis relative exposure duration (ED) skin most significant parameters adults, ED body children. both children five times